After bargaining for more than four months, the University of Guelph Faculty Association union announced Friday they’ve reached a tentative agreement.
The union, which represents around 875 faculty members, librarians and veterinarians, has been meeting since early July to negotiate a new collective agreement; the last agreement expired June 30.
The agreement was reached with the assistance of a mediator, and requires ratification by both parties.
The union held a strike vote in October, with 90 per cent of their members in favour of strike action if necessary. If talks fall through, a strike could happen before the end of the fall semester.
While the talks are confidential, UGFA vice-president Louise Grogan previously told GuelphToday that they're concerned about the administration's proposal to create a separate type of faculty with potentially no obligation or opportunity to engage in scholarship – which she said is what defines a university.
Because they're subject to bill C124 for two more years, which caps salary and total compensation increases to one per cent per year, she said the bargaining has been primarily focused on "principles essential to upholding the integrity of our academic mission and the education of our students."
Updates will be posted on their website.
