Author Archives: nosmfsa

NOSM University and the NOSM University Faculty & Staff Association (NUFSA) represented by OPSEU/SEFPO Local 677 (Unit 1) are pleased to announce the ratification of their sixth collective agreement, covering full-time faculty, librarians, and professional staff at the University. 

Both NUFSA’s members and NOSM University’s Board of Governors voted in favour of ratifying the new collective agreement on November 8, 2023.  

On behalf of the NOSM University’s Board of Governors, Ms. Joy Warkentin, Chair, would like to thank the members of both negotiating teams for their hard work in reaching an agreement that will ultimately benefit learners and communities across the North. NOSM University and its Board of Governors look forward to the continuation of a strong professional and productive partnership with OPSEU/SEFPO Local 677, Unit 1 over the next three years and are appreciative of their members’ contributions to the University’s vision of Innovative Education and Research for a Healthier North. 

Dr. Darrel Manitowabi, President of the bargaining unit negotiating the contract, appreciates the work of both negotiating teams coming to an agreement that prioritizes equity and upholds the quality medical education provided by the faculty, librarians and professional staff of NOSM University at a time when Northern communities need more doctors. 

NOSM University Faculty and Staff Association (NUFSA) and OPSEU/SEFPO Local 677 President Nicole Bessette also expressed her appreciation for the support of NUFSA members, students, and the wider Northern community for equity and good working conditions that ensure the continued success of NOSM University as it grows and expands.

Formal negotiations began in June 2023, led by chief negotiators Mr. Garth O’Neill (NOSM University) and Dr. Simon Lees (OPSEU/SEFPO Local 677, Unit 1). The agreement covers three-years and is in effect from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2026. It provides improvements to wages, benefits and various components of the collective agreement that represent mutual enhancements of the workplace and are in line with the university sector in Canada.

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THUNDER BAY AND SUDBURY, October 10, 2023 – Despite months of negotiations, the NOSM University administration continues to stonewall proposals crucial for education quality, equity, and job security. As a result, the NOSM U Faculty and Staff Association, representing medical education faculty, librarians, and professional staff, have requested a “no-board” report from the Ministry of Training, Labour and Skills Development. Once issued, this will trigger a countdown to a potential strike or lockout, which could occur as early as the end of October. 

Represented by OPSEU Local 677, NUFSA has been in provincially mediated conciliation with the university administration since September 22, 2023. However, the administration refuses to meaningfully address concerns about working and learning conditions at the university. This, despite university employees, students, and the broader community demanding action from NOSM U President Sarita Verma and her bargaining team. 

“With more than 2500 letters advocating for investments in education quality, equity, and job security being sent to the university administration, we know the community understands the importance of medical education in Northern Ontario and supports our efforts to defend the integrity of education at NOSM U,” said Darrel Manitowabi, President of NUFSA. “To maintain high-quality medical education in Northern Ontario comparable to other medical schools in the province, the university administration must invest in working and learning conditions instead of trying to strip away the rights of faculty, librarians, and staff who have dedicated themselves to advancing the university’s mission.” 

With NOSM U enrollments projected to double in the next five years, the administration’s proposals would erode equity and job security for faculty, librarians, and professional staff, undermining the university’s capacity to train the doctors Northern Ontario communities so desperately need.

“As NOSM U grows and expands, it is incomprehensible that the university administration would be focused on depriving faculty, librarians, and staff of the rights and resources vital for their work,” said Nicole Bessette, President of OPSEU Local 677, which represents the unionized medical education workforce at NOSM U.“At a time when it is so important to be training more physicians to serve in Northern Ontario, this administration is making proposals that will erode equity and job security.”

NUFSA remains committed to trying to reach a deal at the bargaining table to avert a strike. For that to happen, the university administration must come to the table with a fair deal that protects education quality, equity, and job security. If this requires faculty, librarians, and staff at the university to strike, then that is exactly what they will do. 

Help us avoid a strike at NOSM U. Make your voice heard by sending an email to the university administration urging them to invest in high quality medical education, equity, and job security: https://www.nosmfsa.ca/

Founded in 2005, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine University Faculty and Staff Association is one of two OPSEU/SEFPO bargaining units representing NOSMU’s 41 full-time faculty, professional librarians, and professional staff. NUFSA is a CAUT & OCUFA Affiliate.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Dr. Darrel Manitowabi, NUFSA President, at Tel (705) 929-0177, email: [email protected].

THUNDER BAY AND SUDBURY, September 21, 2023 – Medical education faculty and professional staff represented by NOSM U Faculty and Staff Association (NUFSA), members of OPSEU Local 677, will enter provincially mediated conciliation with the NOSM U administration, tomorrow, September 22. 

NUFSA and the university administration remain far apart on important issues of job security; however, the union is entering conciliation with strong community support from students, alumni, staff, and community members. To make their dissatisfaction with the administration’s position clear, union members and supporters have been sending emails to the university’s senior administration, including President Verma and Board Chair, Warkentin. To date, the administration has received over 1,200 emails expressing support for a fair contract in line with other Ontario medical schools to ensure NOSM U students attain the best quality, Northern-specific education. The administration has not provided a response to emails.  

“Clearly, the community is concerned that the University administration remains at odds with supporting a vision of NOSM U as a public university in Canada with an equitable workload, learning and research conditions that are the same as other medical schools. The administration’s ongoing refusal to engage in meaningful dialogue with NUFSA has the potential to compromise the quality of medical education in northern Ontario”, said Darrel Manitowabi, President of the NOSM U Faculty and Professional Staff Union.  

NUFSA and its supporters are calling on the administration to demonstrate a willingness to use the conciliation process to negotiate a fair and equitable collective agreement that benefits faculty, staff, students, and the Northern Ontario community. 

“The working conditions of NOSM University faculty and staff are the learning conditions of students, and ultimately, the care conditions of the people of Northern Ontario.” said Alanna Makinson, a third-year student at the institution.  If NOSMU’s administration values training the next generation of doctors, they must show it through fair pay and benefits, and working conditions for the staff that do that work.” 

Founded in 2005, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine University Faculty and Staff Association is one of two OPSEU bargaining units representing NOSMU’s 41 full time faculty, professional librarians, and professional staff. NUFSA is a CAUT & OCUFA Affiliate.   

For more information or to arrange an interview please contact Dr. Darrel Manitowabi, NUFSA President at Tel (705) 929-0177, email: [email protected].