Negotiation Updates

Dear Members of the NOSM University Community,

NOSM University and OPSEU Local 677 (Unit 1) continue to negotiate a collective agreement through mediation. We are hopeful that, if needed, both parties will continue to negotiate over the weekend to arrive at an agreement.

In the event that mediation is unsuccessful, OPSEU Local 677 (Unit 1) will be in a legal strike position at 12:01 AM on November 5, 2023. If a strike is initiated, a labour disruption will affect both NOSM University campuses in Sudbury and Thunder Bay.

Student wellness and academic success continue to be our priority and the focus of our extensive contingency planning. In the event of a strike, NOSM University will maintain academic and business continuity. There will be little disruption in academic programs and student services. Answers to many of your questions can be found under FAQs.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the status of negotiations or contingency planning, please email labourinfo@nosm.ca.

Dear Members of the NOSM University Community,

A no-board report, requested by OPSEU Local 677 (Unit 1), was issued today by the Ministry of Labour, which puts the union in a legal strike position as of 12:01 a.m. on November 5, 2023.

The negotiation teams representing the employer and union are scheduled to meet, through mediation, on November 1-3, 2023 in Thunder Bay, and we remain committed to finding common ground on a collective agreement.

In the event of a strike, we have assured our learners, employees, and communities that NOSM University will maintain academic and business continuity. There will be little to no disruption in academic programs and student services.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the status of negotiations or contingency planning, please email labourinfo@nosm.ca.

Dear Members of the NOSM University Community,

OPSEU Local 677 (Unit 1) requested the conciliator immediately file a no-board report on October 10, 2023. Once the no-board report is issued, and after 17 days have passed, the union will be in a legal strike position, which could occur as early as November 1, 2023. Although NOSM University wants to continue working with OPSEU to find a resolution, the union has not been willing to find common ground on items that NOSM University feels are fair and reasonable. We remain hopeful that the union will attend the upcoming dates scheduled from November 1 to 3, 2023, and be ready to negotiate.

I wish to assure you that NOSM University has been bargaining in good faith and working with the Ministry of Labour appointed conciliator. Although we are disappointed with the lack of commitment to find common ground by OPSEU Local 677 (Unit 1), we remain dedicated to our mission as a new independent medical university, to provide an exceptional learning experience, improve access to quality health care in Northern Ontario and advocate for health equity. This is the collective mission that guides us in our work. NOSM University students are a critical part of this mandate, and we will ensure that there is no disruption to academic programs and student services to the best of our ability should there be a labour disruption.

We are all committed to our mandate and to ensuring business and academic continuity. NOSM University has contingency plans in place to ensure learning and student services will continue should there be a strike. We must remain focussed on our commitment to the physician workforce supply during a health human resource crisis.

We encourage everyone to stay informed and to avoid the myths and misinformation that can arise during negotiations.

As this process evolve, more information will be updated on this site.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the status of negotiations or contingency planning, please email labourinfo@nosm.ca. 

NOSM University representatives met today with OPSEU Local 677 (Unit 1) and a conciliator appointed by the Province to assist in our negotiations. We are pleased with the progress that was made today. Additional bargaining dates have been scheduled and we look forward to these ongoing discussions. NOSM University will continue to bargain in good faith to find common ground. We remain confident that we will reach a tentative agreement that is capable of being ratified by both parties.

At NOSM University we are committed to transparent communication and constructive collaboration for the betterment of our institution and the entire university community.

We value the dedication and hard work of all our faculty and staff. The concerns highlighted in the press release issued by OPSEU Local 677, Unit 1—which represents 41 full-time faculty, librarians, and professional staff—underscore the importance of a vibrant and inclusive academic environment. We share the common goal of nurturing an institution that upholds the highest standards of education and research.

We remain committed to proceeding in good faith and to finding common ground aimed at arriving at a fair and equitable resolution that benefits all parties.

Our collective mission as a new independent medical university, and Canada’s first, is to provide an exceptional learning experience and conduct innovative education and research for a healthier North. By working together, we can achieve these goals while addressing concerns in a way that strengthens our institution.