MUN lecturers vote in favour of strike mandate

As Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador’s winter semester nears its conclusion, per-course instructors have voted “overwhelmingly” in favour of a strike as their union grows tired of what it calls “insulting behaviour” from school administration.

The Lecturers Union of Memorial University (LUMUN) says turnout at its strike mandate vote over the weekend was “extremely high” and should be an indication to school leadership that members are “fed up.”

“Not only that, but we saw clearly from the outstanding voter turnout that members are very engaged,” stated LUMUN spokesperson Alison Coffin “It’s time for Memorial to table a fair deal, and to do so right now. After four years of delays, enough is enough.”

The union alleges that MUN was forced into contract negotiations by conciliation and “ever since has acted in an evasive and unprofessional manner.”

With no formal financial offer on the table after more than a year of talks, LUMUN walked away from the table in early February.

In an FAQ on its website, LUMUN notes its last contract was only secured after a similar strike vote.

The union is seeking pay increases in line with inflation, improved work conditions, seniority and privacy protection, transparency and a clear process for dealing with investigations and discipline.

“Lecturers provide the education students pay for and it’s ridiculous that we work at a university where the administration pays more for parties with alcohol than they spend to pay an instructor to teach a course,” wrote Coffin.

“We love our jobs and providing quality education to our students, but that is already difficult with the minimal pay we receive and it’s going to be even more difficult without a fair deal.”

Both Memorial University Students’ Union and the MUN Faulty Association have stated their support for LUMUN.