News 09/02/08

1. University of Sudbury News
2. Inflation
3. Pension News
4. New Faculty Barbecue

University of Sudbury News : Members of the Laurentian University Faculty Association at the University of Sudbury held a ratification vote today. 89% of members voted in favour of the tentative agreement. The union is now awaiting the result of the ratification vote of the University of Sudbury Board, which will hold its meeting this evening.

The faculty at the University of Sudbury saw some improvements in their working conditions, in particular, a reduction in the teaching load starting in September 2010, which will make it identical to their colleagues teaching in the humanities at Laurentian University. "We are satisfied with the prospect of having a better balance between teaching and doing research with the reduced teaching component of our work," says Dr. Paolo Biondi, the chief negotiator for the union. As for salaries, professors will receive an economic increase of 3.25% in each year of the four year agreement.

If the Board ratifies the tentative agreement, then classes will begin on Wednesday as scheduled.

Inflation: On August 21, Statistics Canada reported that consumer prices rose 3.4% in July 2008 compared with July 2007, an increase from the 3.1% rise recorded in the 12 months to June 2008. (See attached file) 

Pension News: Through the good word of LUFA’s actuary, Ashley Crozier, we have discovered that some of our pensioners will see an increase in their pensions. Until now, there has been cap on pension increases if inflation exceeded 3%. We now know that all along the plan had a “rolling guarantee” --that is if inflation were 3.5% in one year and 2.2% the next, while a pension would be capped at 3% in the first year, in the second, it would rise to 2.7% to make up for the .5% it could not pay in the first year.

New Faculty Barbecue: LUFA will be sponsoring a barbecue for new faculty and their families on Friday September 12.

New faculty are defined as those hired over the past three years since the last contract.

Tentatively, the event will take place between 11:30 and 2:00 at the Robertson Cottage, which for newcomers is the future site of the Living with Lakes Centre on your left as you approach the main entrance to the university.

Details will follow.