Four-Year Deal at Brandon University!

BRANDON, MB – In a demonstration of commitment to students, faculty, staff and the community, the Brandon University Faculty Association (BUFA) and Brandon University (BU) have reached a four-year Agreement for the period of April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2019. The Agreement will take effect immediately, having been ratified by both the BUFA membership and the University’s Board of Governors.

BUFA Membership voted 95% in favour of the Agreement. “The overwhelming support we’ve received in ratification is a clear indication that all of BUFA’s many constituent units are happy with the agreement,” says Dr. Meir Serfaty, President of BUFA. “We are proud as a Union that our negotiating team was able to achieve several important gains including enhancements in program stability and in working conditions, both of which will foster the pursuit of research, teaching and service to the community. The outcome will benefit not only our Members but also the students and the University as a whole.”

The negotiating teams reached a tentative agreement prior to the March 31, 2015, expiry date of the last Collective Agreement; a move that is unprecedented in the University’s recent history. “The fact that it was accomplished in record time following hard and intensive work on both sides is proof that our objectives in negotiations were fair and reasonable, and helped both sides reach an agreement through discussion and often vigorous debate” says Dr. Serfaty.

“Brandon University is an excellent institution for post-secondary education with many accomplishments,” says BU’s President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Gervan Fearon. “The strong support for the Collective Agreement affirms the future that we are building together in support of student success, teaching and learning excellence, and research innovation. I am very proud of this accomplishment, which reflects a concerted effort to improve faculty and staff relations at the University.”

“The Collective Agreement emerged from the hard work of the BUFA and University negotiating teams who had frank discussions aimed at resolving issues and exploring opportunities for the mutual benefit of all parties. We will continue to work together to make Brandon University an outstanding university for students, faculty, staff, and the communities we serve. We are all very optimistic about the future of Brandon University,” says Dr. Fearon.

Dr. Fearon and Dr. Serfaty agree that “this four-year deal is a springboard to stability, growth, and continued excellence at Brandon University.”

The Agreement provides salary increases of two percent in each of the first three years and two and one-half percent in the final year.

BUFA is the bargaining agent for all full-time and part-time teaching staff, sessional contract workers, as well as professional, instructional and administrative associates that include librarians, counsellors, and laboratory instructors.

The BUFA negotiating team included Dr. Derek Brown (Chief Negotiator), Professor Heather Gillander, Dr. Doug Ramsey, Dr. Meir Serfaty, and Dr. Dion Wiseman. The University’s negotiating team included Ms. Sharon Hooper (Chief Negotiator), Mr. Tom Brophy, Dr. Heather Duncan, Ms. Kristen Fisher, and Dr. Steven Robinson.

Brandon University, founded in 1899, promotes excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship; educating students so that they can make a meaningful difference as engaged citizens and leaders.

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