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About the

University of Guelph Faculty Association

 

The University of Guelph Faculty Association (UGFA) is a certified union recognized by the Ontario Labour Relations Act. We represent the interests of Faculty, Librarians and Veterinarians at the University of Guelph.

 

The Faculty Association is the only body at the University of Guelph that has consistently defended the rights of the Faculty, Librarians, and Veterinarians. The relationship between the University of Guelph administration and UGFA goes back more than 50 years and is collegial.

The Early Years

 

In the late 1970’s, the faculty, believing that a formalization of faculty rights and privileges was required, voted to start negotiations on a Special Plan Agreement (SP). UGFA finally concluded negotiations of the Special Plan Agreement, outside of the Labour Relations Act, in 1983 and the faculty voted to approve the document.

 

The SP Agreement formalized relations between the Association and the Administration for the first time. The negotiated agreement gave UGFA official status as the representative of faculty and librarians with respect to salaries, benefits, and terms and conditions of employment.

 

A tall stone building with a Canadian flag on it.

Unionization

 

In 2006 UGFA Executive and Council came to the decision that our relationship with the Administration had reached a significant transition point. At the Council meeting of April 6, 2006, a motion was passed with overwhelming support “that Council approve an immediate card-signing drive, with a view to certification of UGFA.” Within one month of the card signing drive we had support from more than 40% of our proposed Membership, as such on May 9th the Certification Application was filed with the Ontario Labour Relations Board. Voting took place on May 16th and on August 18th, 2006 the Labour Relations Board certified UGFA as the bargaining agent of all persons employed by the University of Guelph as Faculty Members (including professional Librarians) and all persons employed as Veterinarians in the Animal Health Laboratory and the Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

 

The Present

The UGFA is now the sole bargaining agent of Faculty, Librarians and Veterinarians at the University of Guelph. We are responsible for negotiating the terms and conditions of employment through a Collective Agreement between the UGFA and the University Administration.