Home

Commentary

A Reponse to the UWO: What Does the Compensation Restraint Act Mean for UWOSA?

April 1, 2010 - 12:19 — Guest

The University’s Administration, in a memo to leaders and a Western News story, weighed in on the Ontario Government’s public sector salary restraint measures yesterday. Western, through its Provost, says that, “the legislation indicates that all universities are included, and hence it does affect all Western employees” and that, “when we begin bargaining for new agreements with any group, we will need to pay attention to the government's expectation – as stated in the legislation – that there be no net increase in compensation through to March 31, 2012”.

McGuinty Takes A Wrong Turn

March 30, 2010 - 09:48 — Guest

The McGuinty Government released its budget for the 2010-11 year last week, and it contains some modestly good news for universities. There is some new money for post-secondary institutions - $310M to fund 20,000 new student spaces (though the truth of the funding increase has been questioned by the CCPA’s Hugh McKenzie). However, this apparent increase in funding is overshadowed by the Liberal Government's announcement of a public sector wage restraint program.

Federal Budget Gets a "D-"

March 15, 2010 - 10:57 — Guest

The Federal Government recently tabled its budget for 2010-11. There has been widespread concern about the content of the budget, and how the Harper Government would react to the burgeoning deficit. While it does not contain cutbacks to Universities (or transfers to the provinces directed to them), the budget does not contain any meaningful funding increases either.

Unnecessary Layoffs Now Completed

May 19, 2009 - 11:19 — Guest

Western's Administration has now given notice to the 28 UWOSA members whose positions have been eliminated as a result of the University's budget reductions. Combined with terminations of PMA staff and unfilled vacancies, well over 100 full time staff positions have been eliminated at the University.

Some Good News in the Provincial Budget

March 27, 2009 - 08:13 — Guest

The Ontario Budget, tabled by the McGuinty Government on March 26, contained few surprises in those provisions related to University funding. But there is some good news for staff at Western and other Universities.

The Cost of the Golden Handshake

March 23, 2009 - 09:17 — Guest

As has been widely reported, UWO President Paul Davenport will receive a lucrative retiring allowance when he departs Western on June 30. He will, under this allowance, continue to be paid for two years after he leaves Western. The value of this allowance is in excess of $700,000. This is in addition to the generous pension he will receive (a pension which is significantly more generous than the ones enjoyed by staff or faculty). UWOSA believes this type of "golden handshake" is inappropriate at the best of times, and repugnant at a time when jobs are threatened.

Syndicate content