LU profs, university hammer out tentative deal

Just hours ahead of their strike deadline, Laurentian University's professors have signed a tentative deal with the university.

The Laurentian University Faculty Association (LUFA) and university administration negotiated with the assistance of the mediator after months of talks failed to result in a contract.

The 372 full-time and 200 part-time faculty members working at the university's Sudbury and Barrie campuses were set to hit the picket lines at midnight tonight (Sept. 29) if a tentative deal wasn't reached.

A statement published on LUFA's website mid-morning Sept. 29 said a ratification vote date will be announced soon. The tentative deal is also subject to ratification by Laurentian University's board of governors.

The terms of the agreement are not being publicly released prior to ratification.

In a press release, Laurentian said the tentative agreement means it's “business as usual” at the university.

“I am pleased that both bargaining teams reached an agreement without any disruption of the academic year,” said Laurentian president Dominic Giroux, in a press release.

“Should it be ratified, this agreement will allow the university and its faculty to continue to build Laurentian's momentum with exciting plans for the coming years."

LUFA president Anis Farah said in the press release the negotiations were an “intense” process.

“With much hard work, both bargaining teams were able to find ways to address issues of mutual interest in a very collegial manner,” he said. “This tentative agreement is a positive step forward for the university and LUFA.”