Update: Jan. 18, 4:15 p.m.
A new message from the University to staff and students states that in relation to potential faculty strike, as of 4 p.m., "an agreement has not yet been reached and we anticipate the strike will begin on Monday morning."
The email states that while the campus will remain open if the strike begins, all Laurentian University classes will be suspended temporarily.
The message states that classes, labs, seminars and other activities led by faculty members and instructors both online and in-person would stop temporarily, but activities led by University staff (non-LUFA) will continue, including most student services. It notes that Non-credit Additional Qualifications courses and professional development courses, offered by the Centre for Teaching and Continuing Learning, will continue to be offered.
"This is not the outcome we had hoped for, and we understand that these events will provoke a range of emotions," reads the message. "To our students, staff and faculty, please know that Laurentian University is fully committed to supporting you through this disruption."
For more information about what might happen at the school in event of a strike, or to find their FAQ section for advice, visit their website here.
Original Story: Jan. 18, 12 p.m.
With the potential for a strike on the horizon, the Laurentian University Faculty Association (LUFA) members are “getting gear ready in case they need to walk the picket lines tomorrow…” reads a Facebook post from the union.
In talks with the university throughout the week and weekend, the faculty association, representing educators, librarians, and academic professionals, has set a strike deadline for just 12 hours from now, Jan. 19, at 12:01 a.m.
The faculty union has stated a major issue is members’ desire to establish a pension plan out of Laurentian’s hands.
As stipulations in an insolvency-era loan agreement were preventing this from happening, LUFA filed a Charter challenge against the province of Ontario in November. Any chance of a deal, said the union, rests on Laurentian’s board and the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security “to lift all the restrictions” regarding the pension plan in the loan agreement.
LUFA’s current collective agreement expired June 30, 2025, but the two sides only started bargaining in earnest Nov. 17. They were last at the table together in 2021, when a contract was signed under what the union described as “duress,” during Laurentian’s time under creditor protection. A no-board report was issued by a conciliation officer on Dec. 29, beginning a countdown to a strike.
LUFA and Laurentian are now taking part in mediation with arbitrator William Kaplan, at the table until the last second of the strike deadline.
The union has a 98-per-cent strike mandate after a vote was held Nov. 15 to 17, 2025.
The university issued a release on Jan. 16, advising staff and students of the pending labour action and offering guidance for next steps.
“Further negotiations with the support of a mediator are planned for this weekend,” the university said in a news release. “We will provide an update via email as soon as possible before Monday morning, noting that negotiations may continue late into Sunday evening.”
If a strike happens, the Laurentian campus will remain open, the university said in the release.
“Classes, labs, seminars and other activities led by faculty members and instructors both online and in-person would stop temporarily, but activities led by University staff will continue, including most student services,” the release states. “Most non-credit Additional Qualifications courses and professional development courses, offered by the Centre for Teaching and Continuing Learning, will continue to be offered.”
Students, staff or faculty with questions have access to a Frequently Asked Questions page hosted on the Laurentian website for strike-related questions.
“We understand that this situation may create challenges and anxiety for our students, staff, and faculty members,” the release states. “We continue to update the list of frequently asked questions and encourage all Laurentian University community members to read through it carefully.”
Also preparing is the City of Greater Sudbury’s transit system, GOVA, which will add a detour to their two university routes in the event of a strike.
“GOVA Transit Routes 3 (LU Regent) and 4 (LU via Paris) will remain off Laurentian property and detour using the South Bay Road turnaround,” reads a post on the GOVA Facebook page. “Students will be picked up and dropped off at temporary bus stops located at University Road at Ramsey Lake Road, or at the St. Joseph Villa stops on South Bay Road.”
For updates, university travellers are advised to visit the GOVA transit website, found here or call 311.
And, “if a strike proves necessary,” the faculty association is planning a rally at the Main Campus entrance (935 Ramsey Lake Road) beginning at 12 p.m.
“Laurentian 3.0 - the comeback is now,” states the union’s post.
Stay tuned to Sudbury.com for more updates as they are available.