About UWFA - University of Winnipeg Faculty Association

General Information

UWFA’s Role

The University of Winnipeg Faculty Association (UWFA) was certified by the Manitoba Labour Board in 1981 to represent the tenured faculty, instructors, Collegiate instructors and librarians of the University of Winnipeg. In 2006, this was expanded to include Contract Faculty (CF). We are comprised of three bargaining units: the Main Unit (tenured faculty, librarians and instructors), the Collegiate Unit (Collegiate Instructors) and the Contract Faculty Unit (CF are those Members who are hired to teach on a per course basis).

The Faculty Association’s main responsibility is to deal with issues directly related to the negotiation and enforcement of the Collective Agreements. It is useful to know that in addition to the Collective Agreements the UWFA also has responsibilities under certain statutes such as The Workplace Safety and Health Act and it can represent the rights of our Members under other legislation such as The Human Rights Act. Certain areas of policy and management are the legitimate responsibility of the University but are not covered by the Collective Agreements, or are covered only indirectly (for example, our grievance process would deal with any disciplinary action arising out of an area not covered by our Collective Agreement). When in doubt about whether an issue falls under the UWFA’s responsibilities, seek clarification from our UWFA Staff Officer.

Governance and Dues

UWFA is governed between Annual General Meetings by an Executive Council, members of which normally serve for two year terms (the Contract Faculty Representative serves a one year term). Members may run for re-election and all members are eligible to serve.

Our union dues constitute 1.2% of gross salary or a mil rate of 12.0, which is average for Canadian universities. As of March 31, 2010, our income from dues at a mil rate of 10 was $364,731.82 and our expenditures were $347,208.06. Our investment portfolio, which in prior years has provided our defence funds, is at approximately $250,000.

The dues help pay for a variety of things that directly or indirectly benefit Members. These include the services of a full-time Executive Director and Administrative Assistant; course release time or equivalent for table officers, the grievance officer, and members of the negotiating team; limited conference travel for officers or delegates; and research services—such as those needed to produce Press for Action, our bargaining newsletter. Our defense fund allows us to finance a range of job actions, including providing some funds to participating Members in the event of a strike.

Academic Affiliations

UWFA is a member organization of the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT), the CAUT Defence Fund and the National Union of the Canadian Association of University Teachers (NUCAUT). UWFA is also a member of the Manitoba Organization of Faculty Associations (MOFA).

Academic Affiliate Details

The Canadian Association of University Teachers, CAUT, represents over 40,000 academic staff and provides a variety of educational, legal, and advocacy services, many at no cost. The website provides a great deal of useful information about a range of issues: from threats to academic freedom, to negotiating a new job offer.
The CAUT Defence Fund, which invests and administers strike pay for all member associations. If any faculty association goes on strike, payments from the Defence Fund apply after the third day.
The CAUT Academic Freedom Fund, a separately administered account financed by donations. This fund is intended to support any faculty association faced with catastrophic costs associated with defending academic freedom.
National Association of CAUT, or NUCAUT, an alliance formed through CAUT in 2001-02. Our membership allows UWFA to send a delegate to the tri-annual Canadian Labour Congress and to tap into the immense resources offered by the CLC as well as (eventually) our district labour council.
Manitoba Organization of Faculty Associations (MOFA), which represents faculty associations from U of W, U of Manitoba, Saint Boniface, and Brandon. MOFA engages in political action and lobbying about a range of issues concerning post-secondary education and faculty rights.
Dues: We currently contribute about 14% of our total membership dues to CAUT each year, and just over half that amount to the CAUT Defence Fund. We have donated $2,000 thus far to the Academic Freedom Fund. We also pay NUCAUT just under $4,600 a year, and it sends all dues directly to the CLC.

Labour Affiliations

We are members of the Winnipeg Labour Council (WLC), the Manitoba Federation of Labour (MFL), the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), and the National Union of the Canadian Association of University Teachers (NUCAUT).

UWFA enjoys cooperative relationships with the University of Winnipeg Students’ Association, the University of Winnipeg Retirees Association, the Association of Employees Supporting Education Services (AESES), and the International Union of Operating Engineers.