UPEI Faculty Association presents offer they say could end strike

The UPEI Faculty Association says it has sent an offer to the university's president that could end a weeks-long strike by faculty members — if it's accepted. 

Mediated talks between the faculty association and the university ended over the weekend without a deal.

The UPEIFA's last collective agreement had been set to expire on July 1, 2020, but the parties signed a two-year extension that expired last June. The two sides have been in negotiations on and off since April 2022.

Faculty association members have been on the picket line for nearly four weeks, putting a stop to university classes and leaving students wondering when the semester might resume.

The association said members have rejected the university's calls for binding arbitration and are committed to reaching a negotiated settlement.

"We look forward to ending the strike," said UPEIFA president Michael Arfken.

"We want to be back in class as soon as possible."

Binding arbitration will not address UPEIFA members' major concerns, Arfken said, adding that the only way to end the strike is a negotiated settlement.

"We don't think they've been really focused on reaching a negotiated settlement throughout this process," he said.

Arfkin also said the faculty association is considering releasing its proposals to the public.

Tentative proposal for remainder of winter semester

The university hasn't commented on the proposal from the UPEIFA, but did send an email to students on Thursday laying out potential next steps should the strike end by Friday, adding that classes could resume as soon as Monday.

Once a deal has been reached, an emergency meeting of the university senate will be called to review and approve a revised plan for the winter semester.

The university's proposal indicates the exam period for the winter semester could be cancelled, with the rest of the term used for in-person instruction and assessments as designed by faculty members. Convocation would happen as scheduled.

"The university remains committed to crediting students with net savings that occur from not paying faculty salaries while they are on strike (faculty members receive strike pay from their union)," the statement reads.

"The amount of net savings and credits to students cannot be calculated until the strike is over and the costs incurred during the strike period, including return-to-work protocols, are known."

Arfken said the university might be getting ahead of itself.

"We've been concerned throughout negotiations with the tone of communications from the employer. There have been a lot of instances where they have given a lot of false hope about the strike ending," he said.

"I'd like to hear them talking more about them being prepared to negotiate a settlement and way to end the strike."