------- Forwarded Message Follows -------

>From: [log in to unmask]

>Date: Sun, 05 Nov 95 20:20:00 CST
>
>Dear Friends and Colleagues,
>
>I am writing to you to alert you to the existence of
>a strike by faculty members (including myself) at
>the University of Manitoba.  As of today the strike
>is 19 days old and talks between the faculty association
>and the administration have again broken down.

>  The dispute between the two parties is not about salaries
>(the faculty association has agreed to take 21 days off
>without pay over the next three years).  It is about
>how the university will go about downsizing over the
>next few years.  Both sides agree on the need for
>downsizing.  Where the disagreement exists is over
>how this shall be accomplished.

>    The administration proposes to introduce a discontinuance
>policy which would give it the authority to terminate
>faculty positions on an individual basis.  Although
>it has allowed for input into such decisions from
>various academic bodies, none of this input is binding.
>The upshot is that the board of governors, an
>absolute majority of whom are political appointees of
>the provincial government, has the final say over which
>individual faculty members are to be terminated.

>    It is my opinion and that of the faculty association
>that this discontinuance policy constitutes a real threat
>to academic freedom at the University of Manitoba, and
>by its precedent to other Canadian universities.  Regardless
>of the intent of the policy to ameliorate the current
>financial difficulties of the university (and the
>province), once established, the policy would stifle
>inquiry and the freedom to pursue the truth wherever it
>may lead.  Without this freedom, this university and
>others which fall after it, will cease to be the
>hotbeds of challenging ideas and new directions for
>Canada and the world.

>    Those of you who know me, know I took strike action
>with regret for the disruption it has caused my students.
>I never imagined when I embarked on an academic career
>that I would find myself walking a picket line as I
>have been through rain, sleet and snow (we are grateful
>that at least it's not yet January!).  Moreover, I find
>myself sympathetic to the financial plight of the
>university and the province.  The University must continue
>to downsize (the Faculty has decreased in number by 40%
>since 1991), but there are other ways to do it which
>do not threaten academic freedom.  These include incentives
>for early retirement, and reductions at the level of
>programs and departments, all of which the faculty association
>supports.

>    What can be done?  Although the administration has
>adopted a hard line throughout the 9-month negotiation
>process, there are signs that they are beginning to
>soften under pressure from public opinion.  Especially
>important in this context is opinion from individuals
>outside the University of Manitoba.  A professor of
>Astronomy at Harvard University recently expressed his
>concern over the situation in a letter to the editor
>of the Winnipeg Free Press and was also interviewed on
>the local CBC radio.  This had a valuable impact, but
>more expressions of concern from all sources is necessary.

>    I invite you to take a few moments to write a letter
>or send an e-mail to any of the following individuals or
>organizations listed below (or to me personally and I
>will direct it to an appropriate recipient) expressing
>your concern over the impending threat to academic
>freedom at the University of Manitoba.  If you would
>like further information before writing please contact
>me and I will be happy to provide what I can.  Also,
>if you do send a letter or email please let me know -
>your support means a great deal in trying times.

>Many thanks.
>
>Sincerely
>
>Ed Johnson

>Assistant Professor
>Department of Psychology
>University of Manitoba
>
>P.S.  You can get up to date strike info from the
>following web pages:
>1.  http://www.xpressnet.com/umfa   (faculty ass'n page)
>2.  http://www.umanitoba.ca         (admin home page)
>
>Address your concerns to:
>
>Dr. Arnold Naimark
>       President, University of Manitoba
>       201 Administration Building
>       University of Manitoba
>       Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2
>       Phone: 474-9345
>       FAX: 261-1318
>       e-mail: [log in to unmask]
>
>Board of Governors Chairperson Keith Findlay
>       Scarrow & Donald
>       Five Donald Street
>       Winnipeg, MB, R3R 3T3
>       Phone: 982-9820
>       FAX: 474-2886
>
>The Honourable Gary Filmon
>       Premier
>       204 Legislative Building
>       450 Broadway Ave.
>       Winnipeg, MB, R3C 0V8
>       Phone: 945-3714
>       FAX: 949-1484
>       e-mail: [log in to unmask]
>
>The Honourable Vic Toews
>       Minister of Labour
>       156 Legislative Building
>       450 Broadway Avenue
>       Winnipeg, MB, R3C 0V8
>
>The Honourable Linda McIntosh
>       Minister of Education and Training
>       168 Legislative Building
>       450 Broadway
>       Winnipeg, MB, R3G 0V8
>
>University of Manitoba Faculty Association Strike Headquarters
>       Unit 2-2725 Pembina Highway
>       Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2H5
>       Phone: 269-6909
>       Fax: 269-6917
>       e-mail: [log in to unmask]
>       World Wide Web site: http://www.Xpressnet.com/umfa/
>




******************************************************************************
Doug McKenzie-Mohr
Department of Psychology
St. Thomas University
Fredericton, N.B.
E3B 5G3

(506) 452 0634 x432
(506) 450 9615 fax