Both sides to be joined by provincial conciliator in February: CUPE
Support staff at Cape Breton University (CBU) — members of Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 3131 — voted 96 per cent in favour of a strike mandate on Jan. 29.
"When we explained our frustrations in this round of bargaining and the issues that remain on the table, the members were understandably disappointed," said Darren MacKinnon, CUPE 3131 president. "We're looking for equality; the same things that the other CBU unions currently have in their contracts."
Eight face-to-face bargaining sessions took place and after talks broke down last week, the union applied to the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education for conciliation in contract negotiations. The two sides will meet with a conciliator on Feb. 13, 2018, said the union.
Outstanding issues include contracting out, job layoffs and wages, according to CUPE.
"The last thing we want is a disruption of services to students and teaching staff; however, we are prepared to back our demands with a strike. And we don't take that responsibility lightly," said MacKinnon.
CUPE Local 3131 represents about 65 employees who work as administrative and support staff at Cape Breton University. The union's collective agreement expired on March 31, 2016.
