Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. All campus buildings and libraries will be open, and all facilities and services remain operational, including campus security services and heating and cooling plant operations. Student services and activities will continue, and all classes will remain unchanged as previously scheduled. All employees who are not members of the striking unions should report to work as usual.

The labour disruption would involve Unifor 444 Special Constable Service, which consists of 28 fulltime members, including special constables, sergeants, senior 2 special constables, staff sergeant, cadets, and an administrative assistant; and Unifor 2458 Operating Engineers, which includes 16 full-time members who work as refrigeration and compressor operators, and stationary engineers.

Picketing is a legal and peaceful activity during a strike. Picket lines could be at entrances to the University, which may delay arrivals and departures to campus. Picketing is not permitted on University property.

Please proceed with respect, follow instructions from picket captains, and allow additional time for campus access. Avoid engaging with picketers beyond basic respectful interaction. Follow these crossing instructions and report any concerns strikehelp@uwindsor.ca.  

The duration depends entirely on how quickly the parties can negotiate and reach a resolution. The University remains committed to respectful, constructive bargaining, and deeply values the contributions of our staff and faculty.

Yes. The University is committed to maintaining a secure environment for all students, staff, and visitors.  Campus security and emergency services would continue to operate during any labour disruption. Windsor Police will continue to respond to emergency calls as usual; there will be no increased Windsor Police presence on campus.

The University continues to express its interest to meet with the Unions and remains committed to respectful, constructive bargaining. The University deeply values the contributions of our staff and faculty. We believe that reaching negotiated settlements is the best outcome for both employees and the University. 

Our goal is to reach fair, fiscally responsible agreements that are acceptable to all negotiating parties, while balancing the unprecedented financial challenges facing the University and the broader postsecondary sector and meeting the needs of our students and employees. 

Updates will be posted on Labour News webpage or follow @uwindsor and @uwincampuslife on Instagram, Facebook, and X.

Please direct your general questions or report incidents to strikehelp@uwindsor.ca     

Yes, classes would continue as scheduled and all student services will to be supported as usual. If for some reason your classes or events are affected, you will receive details of changes by your professor via email or Brightspace.

Picket lines, while not permitted directly on campus property, may be located near the University, such as at parking lots and garage entrances, during a labour disruption. Striking employees must follow Picket Protocol and must respectfully allow students, non-striking employees, and others to cross the picket line to access campus. However, there may be delays and you are encouraged to give yourself ample time to avoid being late.

Classes will continue as scheduled during a labour disruption, and it is important for you to continue to attend as per usual.

Students should monitor their Brightspace and official University email for updates from instructors. Broader updates may also be posted on Campus Life Students intranet, uwindsor.ca, and on @uwindsor social media channels. 

Student events are planned to continue as scheduled.

Residence as well as food services would remain operational.   

The University will remain open during any labour disruption and classes would continue as scheduled.

In accordance with Senate bylaws and policies, all classes are to proceed as scheduled and in their designated modality (e.g., in-person or online).

All University employees who are not members of the striking union(s) are expected to report to work as usual; the University will continue to provide services to students, faculty and staff.

Continue to park in your regular/assigned lot. Picket lines may be located near parking lot entrances so give yourself extra time to get to work, or make alternative arrangements such as being dropped off, biking or taking public transit.

In the event of a labour disruption, please plan accordingly and give yourself plenty of extra time to get to campus. People are encouraged to walk or bike to campus, to get dropped off near the University, or to take public transportation. If you are delayed, you should contact your director/manager.

Employees who are not members of the striking unions will be expected to report to campus for their regularly scheduled hours. 

No. You cannot be fired for participating in a legal strike authorized by your union.  

Yes. An employee of a striking bargaining unit does have the right to come to work. Please contact your manager/director.

There is no requirement to pay for parking during the strike. If you pre-paid for parking for the year, reimbursement will be provided upon return to work.  Campus parking will not be available for the employees who are members of a striking union during any labour disruption.

All questions related to benefits (health and dental) must be answered by the striking employee’s union.

As outlined in the Pension Plan Documents, any staff or faculty member who is unpaid during a strike will not have those days included in their calculated pensionable service. No pension contributions will be made.   

No. Staff on strike are not entitled to take paid time off during a labour disruption

Please contact your union representative(s) for information.

There will be no changes to employee or dependent(s) tuition remission.   

Employees who are on protected leave (e.g., LTD, maternity, parental) and who are members of a striking union will not have their leave status affected by any labour disruption. 

University issued cell phones and devices for employees on strike will convert to suspension mode and service will be suspended for the duration of the strike. 

Striking staff members are not permitted to remove University property from campus including cell phones, laptops, tablets, etc. University-owned electronic devices (e.g. laptops, tablets, cell phones) will be remotely restricted for striking staff; UWinsite access will be suspended.

All electronic Card/Fob Access, PCard/Travel cards will be suspended for striking staff.  

Cogeco Service will continue during the duration of any labour disruption. Any payroll deductions that accumulate in arrears during the work stoppage period will be deducted from payroll upon return to work.  

We recommend contacting your Unifor 2458 union representatives directly. They are best positioned to provide information specific to your collective agreement.

Unionized employees have the legal right to take job action when negotiations for a new contract are underway. The University is remains committed to respectful, constructive bargaining. The University deeply values the contributions of our staff and faculty, and believes that reaching negotiated settlements is the best outcome for both employees and the University.

Several of our employee groups are in active negotiations this year: CUPE 1393, CUPE 4580, UNIFOR 444, and UNIFOR 2458.

During the past year, the University has reached agreements with several employee groups and implemented changes for non-union staff, including:

• Unifor 2458 Part-time and Full-time Office and Clerical Staff (ratified in March), which included a $1,000 lump sum payment for 2025, a 2% increase in 2026, and recognition of students performing office and clerical duties (excluding co-op, Work Study/Ignite). The agreement expires in Fall 2027.
   
• Windsor University Faculty Association (WUFA) (ratified in June), a two-year extension of the current collective agreement, which also resolves matters related to Bill 124. The agreement, which expires in Summer 2027, will be available online.

After the parties have met with a conciliator, if they have not been able to settle all outstanding matters, the conciliator will report this to the Minister of Labour. Typically, the Minister then issues a No Board report. The union is in a position to commence a legal strike at 12:01 am on the 17th calendar day after the date on the No Board report.