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“THE ATPUO IS FAR MORE UNITED AND FAR MORE ORGANIZED THAN JACQUES BEAUVAIS AND MARIE ÈVE SYLVESTRE COULD HAVE EXPECTED. WE ARE DETERMINED TO WIN A FAIR DEAL.” 

The Association of Teaching Professors of the University of Ottawa (ATPUO) confirmed to the Fulcrum that the U of O has invited them to a negotiation session scheduled for Nov. 15. This will mark the first time the Union and the University return to the bargaining table since the strike began on Nov. 7.

“I expect that we’ll need to schedule further sessions on that day. There are simply too many issues on the table,” said Émilie Bernier, ATPUO grievance officer. “It’s highly unlikely we’ll reach a new agreement by Monday.”

Over 50 per cent of undergraduate courses have been suspended until further notice since Nov. 9. Despite the U of O stating that practicums would not be impacted, the Ontario Teachers’ Federation (OTF) suspended the Faculty of Education’s practicum on Nov. 10, just one day before placements were scheduled to begin on Nov. 11. Meanwhile, Louis Barriault, the dean of the Faculty of Science, will assume instruction of Organic Chemistry II (CHM 2120) just three weeks before final exams begin. Two courses, PSY 3105 and NSG 3505, were removed from the list of suspended courses and then subsequently resuspended as of Nov. 11. 

Jacques Beauvais, U of O provost and vice president, academic affairs, sent an email to students on Nov. 11 that recognized the “added stress” caused by academic disruptions. Beauvais’ email states that the University “regularly invited the ATPUO to begin negotiations for the past 18 months” and that the Union only “agreed to join the bargaining table five months ago.”

According to Bernier, this delay was caused by the U of O’s refusal to uphold the previous collective agreement’s terms: 

“When a collective agreement expires, it must be renewed in its existing form, until a new agreement is reached. Our [previous] collective agreement [from 2025] included access to an Academic and Professional Development fund which members use to conduct research and participate in academic conferences. In September 2025, the University refused to renew this fund. Consequently, this dispute had to be resolved before negotiations could begin … We cannot enter into negotiations with an employer that has already chosen contempt.”

Beauvais’ email also expresses the U of O’s “disappointment when the [ATPUO] chose to leave the bargaining table” after the University had presented “a strong offer.”

According to Luc Angers, ATPUO vice-president of membership and engagement, the U of O “was not serious in their approach” at the bargaining table:

“When negotiations finally began, the University didn’t even have a mandate up until September to negotiate financial matters … Even now, the University is constantly shifting its negotiation mandate.” 

The U of O’s commitment to meaningful negotiations was further questioned following their decision to lock ATPUO members out of their Brightspace accounts and emails before the Oct. 6 mediation session had properly concluded.

Beauvais’ email also informed students that “hundreds of part-time professors have so far made the decision to continue working during the strike.” Corroborating this figure proves difficult as the number of suspended courses within each faculty, which was initially made public on Brightspace, was removed the next morning. 

“We thought the University was well-prepared, but it turns out they weren’t ready to mobilize [contingency plans],” said Bernier. “The ATPUO has been remarkably organized; I believe that’s what has thrown [the administration] off balance. Right now, the University is just improvising.”

The ATPUO held its second rally on Tabaret Lawn at noon on Nov. 13. The Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) organized for professors’ associations from Manitoba, Alberta, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador to travel to Ottawa to picket in solidarity with the Union.

Michael Shaw, chair of CAUT’s collective bargaining and organizing committee in Manitoba, announced that members of teaching associations affiliated with CAUT will return to Ottawa every Friday “for as long as it takes for the ATPUO to get a fair deal.” Shaw emphasized that the ATPUO securing its demands “would help all unions from coast to coast when they go to the bargaining table.” 

The Association of Professors of the University of Ottawa (APUO), the union representing full-time professors, also showed its solidarity. Susan Spronk, APUO first vice president, condemned the U of O’s attempts to recruit full-time professors to replace teaching professors on strike:

“The University has locked [ATPUO members] out of their accounts and their Brightspace. They have even attempted to have APUO members scab … But the University can not lock out our solidarity. If you are a full-time professor, talk to your students about the strike. Tell them the university is at stake.”