Faculty Association deplores Court’s treatment of Member

Peterborough, Ontario - On February 15th Professor Paula Sherman, a Trent University Faculty Association (TUFA) member, was charged with contempt of court, sentenced to six months in jail and fined $15,000 by Superior Court Justice, Douglas Cunningham. Her colleague, Robert Lovelace, a Queen’s Professor, was also jailed for six months and fined $25,000.

Fearing for the well-being of her children and grandchild, Sherman, a single mother negotiated
with the court to avoid a jail sentence. As part of the agreement, Professor Sherman is prohibited
from participating in, or advocating that others participate in, protests against uranium mining on native lands near Sharbot Lake, Ontario. She must also be active in persuading others to abide
by a court-ordered injunction halting the blockade protest that led to the arrests and convictions.

The protest and blockade began over concerns that the provincial government had failed to
provide adequate consultation with the aboriginal communities prior to the issuing of mining
exploration permits. Sherman and Lovelace argued that the right of aboriginal communities to this consultation has been upheld by the Supreme Court of Canada and that First Nations’ Law was
not respected in the court room. Speaking after the trial, Sherman, a respected academic and Co-
Chief of the Ardoch First Nation said: “No consideration was given to the circumstances that led
to our actions,” and that she and Lovelace were acting in compliance with Algonquin Law through
their actions against the uranium mining company.

The Union memberships has voiced concerns that a sentence which includes jail time for
Lovelace and a fine that imposes economic hardship upon Sherman sends a message that the
courts place the interests of large corporations above the rights and obligations of first nations
people to protect their traditional lands.

On Monday March 3rd, the TUFA executive board formally condemned the decision of the court
stating that the treatment of its member violates her right to public protest as a citizen and
obstructs her academic freedom which includes the right to criticize without threat of reprisal or
discrimination. On behalf of TUFA, the board has also made a $1000.00 contribution to the
defence fund that has been established to support Sherman.

Pension Plan Update #2

Fact-checking the Administration FAQ

The U of W administration has posted a FAQ regarding the pension solvency issue on its website. The campus unions have a number of concerns with the information on the website and will be addressing these issues over time. This week we want to draw attention to two statements, one having to do with the size of the pension deficit, the other having to do with the degree to which the administration has consulted with those who will be affected by its proposed changes to the pension plan.

Pension Plan Update #2

Pension Plan Update #1

UWFA takes court action to force U of W to implement 3-year-old pension agreement

The University of Winnipeg Faculty Association (UWFA) is asking the Manitoba Court of Queen’s Bench to require the University of Winnipeg implement a 2004 agreement to establish an independent board of trustees to govern the U of W pension fund. Under that agreement, the U of W would appoint half of the trustees, while various stakeholders would appoint the other half.

UWFA filed its application with the Court of Queen’s Bench on Friday, January 26, 2006. The Association of Employees Supporting Education Services (AESES) has initiated a similar legal action. All three unions whose members are part of the pension plan are working together on this issue.

Pension Plan Update #1