The Laurentian University Board of Governors unanimously ratified today a new three-year collective agreement between the University and the Laurentian University Staff Union (LUSU). This follows Tuesday’s membership vote, with 89% of LUSU members supporting the new agreement, which takes effect on July 1st, 2012.
“I am thrilled that we were able to come to an agreement so early. There are many ambitious and bold initiatives being launched at Laurentian in 2012. This agreement will allow the University and its outstanding staff to focus their energies for the next three-and-a-half years on these important outcomes for our students and our communities. It is a significant step that we are taking together for a positive organizational culture”, said Laurentian President, Dominic Giroux.
“We are extremely pleased with the new agreement,” said LUSU President, Tom Fenske. “We wanted to get this settled as quickly as possible. It was important for us to ensure stability for our members, and to move forward together in a positive direction to implement the University’s new strategic plan and bring labour peace. This agreement shows how great things happen when an employer and a union have ongoing constructive dialogue, strong leadership, and mutual goals.”
Under the terms of the agreement, LUSU members will receive economic wage increases of 2.75% on July 1, 2012, 2.15% on July 1, 2013 and 2.05% on July 1, 2014. Employee pension contributions will increase by 1% on July 1, 2012. Members will move from a hybrid pension plan to a defined benefit pension plan. With these changes, Laurentian will be one of few Canadian universities to have a solvent pension plan and no “going concern” pension deficit. The University will not declare further staff redundancies for the life of the agreement. The current Joint Evaluation System will be revised to ensure compliance under the Ontario Pay Equity Act.
LUSU represents 235 staff in the clerical, technical, administrative, service, security and maintenance areas.