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“YOU ARE HERE TODAY BECAUSE THE UNIVERSITY IS BETRAYING THE VERY PRINCIPLES IT CLAIMS TO STAND FOR: JUSTICE, INCLUSION, AND RESPECT.” 

The Association of Teaching Professors of the University of Ottawa (ATPUO) has confirmed to the Fulcrum that the U of O has not offered the Union an additional negotiation session. 

According to Émilie Bernier, ATPUO grievance officer, the strike is expected to continue until Friday: “It’s clear the University has no intention of negotiating with us this week and would rather have teaching professors out in the cold. We hope that they will return to the negotiating table early next week.”

The ATPUO’s rally took place on Cumberland Street between Laurier and University Private at 11 a.m. Over 200 people were in attendance, with ATPUO members, students, and members of the broader community showing up in support of teaching professors. Various student mobilization groups were also present at the picket line with signs and banners, among them were INSAF uOttawa, Amnesty International UOttawa, Anakbayan UOttawa, the UONDP, and uOttawa Strike Back. 

Mayurika Chakravorty, co-chair of the Equity Committee of the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT), delivered a message on behalf of CAUT president Robin Whitaker:

“No one wants to be in a position where the only option left is to withdraw labour, make no mistake; the responsibility for this situation lies with the employer … 75, 000 teaching staff across the country support [the ATPUO]. We will be with you until you win the fair deal that you deserve.”

Picketers from professors’ associations across the country will come to Ottawa this Friday to support the ATPUO’s strike efforts; Robin Whitaker will also be in attendance.

According to Luc Angers, ATPUO vice-president of membership and engagement, the U of O is negotiating with contempt, as the administration refuses to even recognize the Union’s official name change:

“The administration constantly refers to us as ‘part-time professors,’ even though [the Union] changed that designation to ‘teaching professors.’ A lot of our members work full time; we teach up to seven courses. It’s not honest on the University’s end to make students think that we only work part-time hours.”

The Fulcrum contacted the U of O asking if the administration will revise its communications to recognize the ATPUO’s members as teaching professors. Jesse Robichaud, U of O spokesperson, did not respond to the question directly, but did provide the following comment:

“Our part-time professors are valued members of our community. They play an essential role in our students’ learning experience and in the life of our university. Over the past five months, we have worked hard to reach a negotiated collective agreement with their union.”

“If the University invites [the ATPUO] to return to the negotiating table tomorrow, we will show up. But for now, there has been no movement on their part,” said Angers.

The Fulcrum is committed to providing further coverage as the situation evolves. 

For more information about ATPUO’s bargaining efforts:

U of O teaching professors’ strike underway 

U of O has 12 days to meet teaching professors’ demands and avert potential strike

Potential part-time professors’ strike as U of O offers no counterproposals

ATPUO Student Q & A