Board Highlights 21% Provincial Cuts to U of L; Commits to continue to bargain in good faith

This afternoon, the University of Lethbridge Faculty Association (ULFA) organized an “information rally” regarding the significant and ongoing Government of Alberta cuts to the operating grants of post-secondary institutions throughout Alberta, as well as inform the public that negotiations are ongoing between teams representing the faculty association and the University of Lethbridge Board of Governors.

By the end of 2022/23, the Government of Alberta’s operating support for the University will have been reduced by over 21 per cent since 2019/20. Advocating for ongoing public support for post-secondary education is an important activity, and like ULFA, the University of Lethbridge continues to make the case to the Government of Alberta that investments in post-secondary education will help our city, region and province grow, diversify our economy, and improve the quality of life of Albertans and beyond.

In late October, the Board negotiating team applied for informal mediation services under the Alberta Labour Relations Code. Informal mediation is an established, positive, and constructive tool for collective bargaining, which supports both parties in reaching mutually acceptable agreements through a neutral third party. The Board negotiation team believes the assistance of an objective third-party mediator is necessary to achieve a resolution.

The Board negotiating team’s goal is to continue to bargain in good faith with ULFA, within the fiscal realities facing publicly-funded universities in Alberta. Our aim is to arrive at an agreement that is mutually acceptable to the Board and ULFA and enables the shared commitment of both parties to serve students, communities, local and regional economies, and society as a whole.