All Posts Tagged With: "Labour disputes"
Shout out: What answers do you want from the Ont. gov?
Coleman on Campus poses your York strike questions to the Premier
Tomorrow, following the UToronto CUPE strike vote press conference, I will be heading to Queen’s Park and camping out with the rest of the media to ask questions of the Premier and the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.
I’m going to ask for a response to an expected strike vote at UToronto. I’m expecting an answer along the lines of “it is premature to comment on the situation.”
Then I’ll turn to the situation at York University. I’m not going to ask how the government plans to end the strike, as this will merely result in the Minister repeating his speaking points. (Plus, I’m not the opposition.) Instead, I want to ask the Minister what the government is doing for students as the strike continues with no end in sight.
Therefore, I’m asking you.
As a York undergraduate, what do you want to know from the government?
I expect many of you are wondering about the status of your government loans in January if the strike continues, and what will happen to your loans if the academic year is extended into May. You may also be thinking about government summer jobs that start in May or how you will recover lost summer earnings to pay tuition next September. I’ve already heard from people who have been laid-off from part-time campus jobs who are facing financial difficulty.
Send me your questions and I’ll use them to help formulate the questions I ask the Minister.
With the Legislature adjourning for their winter recess, this is the last chance I have to question the Minister until the House resumes sitting in February.
The question and answer will be posted tomorrow early in the afternoon.
Final update from Osgoode students
About 78 per cent of law students favoured resuming classes “as soon as possible”
This will be my last update on the resumption of classes at Osgoode Hall, while the CUPE strike has the rest of York University shut down. I appreciate the issues surrounding this relatively small group of students may be of less interest to a general readership. But I also think it’s a very interesting study in the complexities that result when one group of affected students is carved out from the whole and specially accommodated.
Mr. J.P. Rodrigues has been in touch with me. He’s the President of Osgoode’s Legal and Literary Society – their student government. He’s offered me some firm data regarding the survey they conducted among their membership, which I’ve been interested in for some time, and he wished to take particular issue with some of what I reported from Mr. Kevin Tilley (one of the Osgoode student reps on York’s Senate) in my last update. Seems only fair to give him equal airtime.
The survey conducted among Osgoode students, relatively early on in the strike, was answered by 505 students or about 60 per cent of the total. Of those who responded, 78 per cent were in favour of resuming classes “as soon as possible.” I reported in the past that I believed the sentiment was strongly in this direction but it’s nice to have clear figures. Personally, I’m still not sure how to take it that so many students at Osgoode were ready to cross a picket line less than two weeks into a strike. But I’ve acknowledged in the past that Osgoode’s student reps were right to promote the interests of their membership and to reflect their stated preference. That’s what good representatives do.
Mr. Rodrigues takes issue with the suggestion I quoted from Mr. Tilley that students were not adequately consulted on the resumption of academic activities. It isn’t for me to mediate between their differing views, but I actually think these statements are not contradictory. The Legal and Literary Society definitely sought and received a clear statement from students that they wished to resume class. But all the same many questions about what that would mean and how it would play out remained unanswered. I believe that’s what Mr. Tilley meant when he referenced a need for more consultation.
In particular, unanswered questions still relate to the status of students who have elected to not resume their classes and academic work during the strike – as is their right under York’s Senate policy. I do believe the Legal and Literary Society have done their honest best to see this topic addressed. I think they’ve done a great job all around, actually. But I also see a situation where the Osgoode student body has been split against itself, and the majority who have resumed classes have become an unwitting lever exerting pressure on the minority who wish to respect the strike. It may be at least some students who were hoping for business as usual are uncomfortable with these outcomes.
Mr. Rodrigues writes, “an overwhelming amount [of students] are relieved and happy that classes are finally resuming.” I’m sure that’s accurate. He also states that it isn’t true “students are feeling pressured to return to classes” and I’m sure that’s true for the large majority, though I continue to wonder about the remainder. He asserts, “[w]hile ensuring classes resumed on December 1st and the school year still ended on April 27th, we did not neglect those students who wished to exercise their right to not suffer academic penalty during a labour disruption.” And again, I really do believe that. I’m not sure that the administration has done as much as they might, but I have a lot of respect for student efforts on this front.
I first started chewing on this topic because I was interested in the effects of a labour action on the student body at a law school that is widely touted as progressive. I hope I haven’t offended anyone with my sense of disappointment. I’m not on side with CUPE here, necessarily. I’m on side with the labour movement generally and the importance of a picket line. I expected more students at Osgoode would agree with me. Apparently I was wrong. But that’s hardly their fault. Students are well within their rights to cross the picket line and God knows they’re paying enough for the education on the other side of it.
I hope this strike ends as soon as possible, for the sake of all affected. And to anyone who thinks I’ve got it a little too cozy over here at U of T, where I attend law school, CUPE 3902 (U of T’s contract faculty, TAs, etc.) is holding a strike vote starting today. A strike mandate doesn’t necessarily mean a strike, of course, but it’s one big step in that direction. I may yet catch my share of this experience from the other side.
—
Questions are welcome at jeff.rybak@utoronto.ca. This blog is still primarily about advising, and I do like questions.
CUPE 3903 on Osgoode’s resumption of classes
Rep expresses sympathy for law students under “intense academic pressure”
I had an opportunity very late this evening to speak with Ms. Punam Khosla, one of CUPE 3903′s media contacts. She was good enough to give me their perspective on the resumption of class at Osgoode, which will occur tomorrow and promises to be contentious.
Ms. Khosla expresses a lot of sympathy, which I feel is genuine, regarding the plight of students at Osgoode and Schulich, where classes have also (previously) resumed on a limited basis. She states “students are under a lot of pressure, academically, when they go to these professional schools.” She clarifies that all students are under pressure, naturally, but acknowledges that the cost of these programs is especially burdensome.
On the issue of Osgoode’s reputation for progressiveness, at least among students, which appears to be on the line here, Ms. Khosla has this to say. She feels there are many progressive students but they are under “intense academic pressure” to resume class. In particular, she cites the competition factor and suggests that once some students resume class others feel almost obligated to do the same or risk falling behind. In this way, the administration’s decision to resume classes pits students against one another.
I raised the question of doing work from home. Osgoode has committed to taping all lectures so that students can work from home and never cross the picket line. Personally, I feel that only makes it easy to cross the picket line in a virtual sense. Ms. Khosla is more tolerant of students electing for this option and feels, at least, it’s a lesser intrusion than physically crossing the line. She additionally states, however, that this is “in some sense the university conducting business as normal.” As the goal of any strike is to prevent the university from conducting business, even working from home is a partial failure to respect the strike.
Ms. Khosla made some additional points regarding the rise in tuition at Osgoode and Schulich and the resulting divide between students in these professional programs and everyone else. I take these as general expressions of solidarity with the broader student cause but they certainly came across as heartfelt. I had the sense that Ms. Khosla is aware there’s a lot of resentment among students out there, and feels somewhat uncomfortable that CUPE has been forced into what appears to be (at least to many people) an anti-student position. I’ll simply repeat my standing observation that CUPE has definitely been losing the media war with York University, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re wrong, just that they’re out-gunned. Of course it could also mean they’re wrong, too.
CUPE will definitely be at the pickets tomorrow, and will be observing strike protocol to the limits of their rights. It’s probably obvious to say this, by now, but anyone looking to cross the line is advised to leave a lot of extra time for that. Tempers may be raw and it won’t do anyone any good to aggravate the situation. If you must cross the line, please wait as requested, take some literature, and take the opportunity to learn why CUPE 3903 is on strike from their perspective. They are undeniably overwhelmed in their messaging by York. If you’re going to cross their line, at least listen to them when you do.
York University strike is CUPE’s Waterloo
You know a strike lacks support when even The Toronto Star doesn’t get behind it
Thursday, on the first day of the strike, The Star‘s editorial board decided Friday’s editorial would be critical of the actions of CUPE 3903:
Union representatives say they’ll resume negotiations when the university makes a “serious offer.” In fact, the university’s final offer of 9.25 per cent over three years and other improvements was serious enough for two other campus groups – maintenance workers and clerical staff – who ratified similar contracts.
Given those recent settlements, and the fact that York’s teaching assistants already earn the highest wage in Canada, the latest offer seems in line with the tough economic times. The university’s proposal to settle the dispute through binding arbitration also seems a reasonable way to bring a quick close to this strike. The union has refused.
I wrote Thursday that the strike comes down to basically one issue: the length of the contract. CUPE wants a two year contract to position itself to shutdown most of Ontario’s universities in 2010. York U wants the standard three year agreement.
I’ve received an interesting array of comments and emails on my conclusion. A couple of people have called it conspiratorial and one person called it a ridiculous theory suggesting my opinion piece be removed.
I stand by my assessment and feel that the lack of willingness to accept arbitration by CUPE 3903 strengthens my argument.
If the dispute goes to arbitration, the union and university are well aware that an arbitator will look at the standard for agreements across Ontario. The union may get a little more compensation and may see a decrease in tuition fees for its members compared to the university’s most recent offer. In short, they will get much of what they are asking for. They only thing they are guaranteed to not get is a two year contract. The arbitrator will order a standard three-year agreement.
The only thing the union has to lose from arbitration is their plan to strike in 2010. Until the union’s two-year demand is off the table, there is no reason for the university to come to the table. Frankly, the university’s compensation offer is reasonable, and even The Star agrees with that assessment.
Most pro-union talking points include 2010 as an issue and the latest talking points I’m hearing are saying that the university is “stubborn” because it isn’t even moving on “non-monetary issues” such as length of contract.
Thankfully, for students and union members alike, the strike has a limited lifespan.
Everyone knows that the provincial government will not be able to sit on its hands and allow this strike to continue beyond January 2, 2009. The provincial legislature recesses for Christmas on December 11, 2009 and is not scheduled to return until the middle of February.
This means back-to-work legislation is likely to be introduced at the beginning of December. The only questions are when will it be introduced, will the NDP delay its passing based on principle, and will York U attempt to salvage a few instructional days prior to the Christmas break.
I do not have the answers to these questions.
I would expect the government to introduce the legislation at the last possible moment. Governments are loath to interfere in union disputes and only do so after having great pressure placed on them. The TTC strike is a rare case of the government acting quickly, and a great deal of the speed was the result of public outrage at the actions of the union.
As for the NDP, they will not vote in favour of back-to-work legislation, but will likely not interfere with the passage of a back-to-work order.
York University, if the strike lasts into December, will have to salvage as many days as they can during the Christmas break. While disruptive to Christmas break plans, the alternative is classes in May; a much worse scenario in the long term for York students.
For TAs, back-to-work legislation will result in arbitration. The only difference between arbitration now and then are all the wages and benefits they will lose during the intermediate period.
The real question is what will the rank and file TA do? Allow the union to keep them on the picket line until the government orders arbitration or force union leaders to accept the offer of arbitration? With even The Toronto Star coming out against the union, it must be clear to graduate students this strike is a lost cause; the only thing left for them to decide is how much damage they do to themselves in the process.
See also: More Maclean’s On Campus coverage of the York University labour dispute.
Poll Question
What should be done about hazing on campus?
- It should be banned outright (44%)
- If students want to join a frat, that's their choice (39%)
- It should be monitored and regulated (17%)
Loading ...This poll closes at 20:00 Eastern Standard Time on November 11, 2008
Ont. dismisses combined bargaining for university unions
Union officials are pushing for bargaining process similar to provincial school boards
Co-ordinated bargaining for all universities across Ontario is not being considered by the province despite a second university going out on strike since the school year began, the government said Thursday.
Some 3,400 contract faculty, teaching assistants and graduate assistants walked off the job at York University in Toronto after the midnight deadline passed.
Union officials have argued for a provincewide bargaining process similar to the one used with school boards, but the minister responsible for colleges and universities said that isn’t going to happen.
“I respect the autonomy of the institutions when it comes to our universities,” said John Milloy. “I’m confident that both sides are going to work to find an agreement that’s in the best interests of the students at York.”
The province could save time and money through combined bargaining, said Fred Hahn, secretary-treasurer for the Ontario chapter of the Canadian Union of Public Employees.
“It’s the same idea we’re talking about for universities… that we think would be good for the entire broader public sector quite honestly,” said Hahn.
The same thing happens at Ontario hospitals, and could be applied to nursing homes and social services agencies, he noted. “There could be great cost-efficiencies held just by having some kind of provincial bargaining structure.” In the current economic climate, it’s not just public sector workers that bear the burden of fiscal belt-tightening, Hahn said.
“The government has to start to think about ways of doing things differently,” he said. “The provincial government has a great role to play in developing efficiencies and saving resources.”
Christina Rousseau, chairwoman of CUPE Local 3903 which represents the striking York workers, conceded her members are better off than most in Canada but doesn’t feel that combined bargaining would negatively impact them.
“If we could use our status as having one of the better agreements to help make other locals in the sector better, I think it’s something we can do,” said Rousseau. “It’s the best of out of a bunch of collective agreements that are nowhere near adequate.”
Milloy wouldn’t speculate on how much time the sides at York might have to reach a deal before considering any back-to-work order.
But Hahn insisted combined bargaining has been shown to expedite the process. “Local unions that might spend a year at the table have been able to reach agreements in two months,” said Hahn.
In September, more than 1,000 professors, librarians and part-time teachers went on strike at the University of Windsor. That delayed the start of classes for some 16,000 students for more than two weeks, meaning the fall semester had to be extended.
There’s concern an extended strike at York could extend classes into the summer. Dave Tovee, 24, a fourth-year geography student from Huntsville, Ont., worried about the job prospects for graduating students.
“It could really jeopardize their chances of coming out with the field of graduates from other schools,” said Tovee.
The striking workers at York are seeking an 11 per cent wage increase over two years, compared to the 9.25 per cent hike over three years being offered.
“But when you look at the wages and benefits packages together, it actually ends up being 2.3 that they’re offering us per year,” Rousseau said.
The Windsor agreement included a nine per cent wage hike over three years.
York graduate assistant Dave Blocker, 24, said he and his peers get between $10,000 and $14,000 for the year, which isn’t enough.
“Based on what I’m getting from York, I’d be living well below the poverty line,” Blocker said. “When you subtract the tuition payment of some $5,000 for the year, that leaves virtually nothing to live on… especially when you’re trying to live in Toronto.”
-The Canadian Press
York U Strike Q&A I: GO Transit
I have a few friends who attend York University and two of them asked me about getting refunds for their transit passes. Both of them travel to York University using GO Transit and pay for a student monthly pass. I called GO Transit to inquire about refunds for students affected by the school’s recent CUPE [...]
I have a few friends who attend York University and two of them asked me about getting refunds for their transit passes.
Both of them travel to York University using GO Transit and pay for a student monthly pass.
I called GO Transit to inquire about refunds for students affected by the school’s recent CUPE strike.
Jessica Kosmack, a spokesperson for GO Transit, tells me that all students and faculty from York University can apply for a refund at any GO station or ticket agency. GO normally charges a 15 per cent administration fee for pro-rated refunds. This fee is waived for York students and faculty during the labour disruption.
GO service to York University is respecting the picket lines in place (GO drivers are unionized) and buses are relocated to Steeles near the university instead of in the centre of the campus.
If the strike continues on Monday, GO Transit will be decreased trips on its popular 407 bus service to York University. GO Transit will be posting the changes on its website tomorrow.
Students at other colleges and universities served by buses originating or destined for York University may be affected by decreased service. GO Transit will be updating its website tomorrow with the changes.
Have a question, need an answer?
York University is providing students with a FAQ list here: http://www.registrar.yorku.ca/disruption/
CUPE 3903 is updating their information online at: www.3903strike.ca and their primary website is: www.cupe3903.tao.ca
Feel free to email me with your tough to answer questions; I’ll try to find the answers.
Ont. Gov: Not our problem, they are autonomous
Ontario’s Minister of Training, Colleges, and Universities is dismissing the idea of provincial bargaining for university employees in Ontario. He cites the “autonomy” of universities as one of the reasons the provincial government will not involve itself. When did academic freedom (autonomy) include the finances of the university itself? Of course, the big concern with [...]
Ontario’s Minister of Training, Colleges, and Universities is dismissing the idea of provincial bargaining for university employees in Ontario. He cites the “autonomy” of universities as one of the reasons the provincial government will not involve itself.
When did academic freedom (autonomy) include the finances of the university itself?
Of course, the big concern with province-wide bargaining is the strength in numbers it gives the union side.
York U strike is a power struggle, not about wages
CUPE and Ontario universities face off. Students suffer the consequences.
Students at York University should expect a long strike, as both sides have a lot to lose if the other side gets what it wants in the single issue that actually matters in this dispute: the length of the contract.
See also: Ont. dismisses combined bargaining for university unions
See also: GO Transit refunds for York students?
CUPE 3903, which represents 3,400 contract faculty, teaching assistants and graduate assistants at the university, wants a two-year contract. The Canadian Union of Public Employees is attempting to negotiate a contract end date of 2010 at all universities, where it has members in Ontario.
The reason for this is simple. The union’s hand is stronger if it’s able to shutdown every university in Ontario than if it’s trying to negotiate dozens of different contracts with various colleges and universities. The union also has dreams of proving its relevance by having what would amount to a general strike.
The union’s dream is the nightmare of university administrations across the province. This strike is not really about York University. This strike is about CUPE and the Council of Ontario Universities. It is a struggle for control of the universities themselves.
Neither side, from their perspective, can afford to give ground in this struggle.
CUPE needs to be able shut down York University in 2010 for its plan to work. The COU needs to prevent CUPE from being able to shut down Ontario’s universities if it hopes to avoid a mass disruption in 2010 that will damage the inter-provincial and international reputations of Ontario’s higher education brand.
This strike is not about wages, benefits, or job security. The only issue is what happens in 2010, and the rest of the rhetoric is just smoke and mirrors.
As for students, you might want to prepare for exams in the new year and regret buying your transit pass for the month.
Settlement reached in bitter UVSS strike
The University of Victoria Student Society and the union representing its student union building employees have reached a settlement to end their labour dispute. The Martlet reports the union succeeded in getting a $1.50 per hour wage increase which will be phased in over three years. The agreement has been ratified by both sides and [...]
The University of Victoria Student Society and the union representing its student union building employees have reached a settlement to end their labour dispute.
The Martlet reports the union succeeded in getting a $1.50 per hour wage increase which will be phased in over three years.
The agreement has been ratified by both sides and UVSS businesses, such as the campus pub, will reopen on Monday.
Lines of communication reopen in UVSS SUB strike
C-Fax 1070 reports that the two sides in the UVSS strike sat down face-to-face for the first time in three weeks today. Attempts to force an impeachment referendum against the present UVSS executive continue after union activists and supporters were not able to move a referendum motion at the UVSS AGM. A couple weeks ago, [...]
C-Fax 1070 reports that the two sides in the UVSS strike sat down face-to-face for the first time in three weeks today.
Attempts to force an impeachment referendum against the present UVSS executive continue after union activists and supporters were not able to move a referendum motion at the UVSS AGM.
A couple weeks ago, a petition to place the motion on the AGM agenda was ignored by the UVSS. The UVSS board failed to meet quorum and the petition was not considered in time.
The chair of the AGM meeting, former CFS national chairperson Amanda Aziz, ruled the referendum motion in violation of UVSS bylaws and out of order. The ruling was challenged and the majority of the room supported Aziz’s ruling.
The union activist and UVSS member leading the charge for an impeachment referendum, Jose Barrios, is promising to collect the necessary signatures on a petition to force the UVSS to conduct an impeachment referendum.
Looks like things will continue to heat up over the next few weeks.
Brandon U strike ends
Students return to classes on Friday
A two-and-a-half week faculty strike at Manitoba’s Brandon University ended yesterday evening and students will be returning to classes Friday after the university and its faculty association reached a tentative agreement late Wednesday.
Neither side is releasing details of the agreement pending ratification.
According to the union, the major issues were pensions and a sexual harassment policy.
As the strike entered its third week, Manitoba’s premier Gary Doer offered to send the dispute to binding arbitration. The faculty association declined the offer last Friday.
As the third week dragged on, it appeared the two sides were further apart than ever. On Monday, talks between the two sides broke down and the university left the table requesting the dispute be sent to binding arbitration.
The university changed the final date for voluntary withdrawal to November 14, but does not expect to change the date of December exams.
The dispute involving 240 faculty, instructional assistants, and librarians effected 3,300 students.
Another week, another strike?
As Windsor strike drags on, Brandon professors get ready for the picket line
It appears faculty at the Brandon University will be on strike starting Monday.
Meanwhile, the strike at the University of Windsor continues without any end in sight. The provincial mediator has left the table and neither side is talking. According to the mediator, there is no reasonable prospect the sides will be able to settle the dispute at the present time.
This leaves students with no classes, and no hope of returning to classes this week.
With this in mind, it is time for the government to prepare to act.
The Ontario Minister of Labour, Peter Fonseca, must deliver a strong message to the two sides that he expects them to negotiate. Failing that, he must be prepared to table back-to-work legislation. (It’s a shame that no one is able to toss the leaders of the two sides into a room and lock the door until they reach an agreement.)
If the two sides do not sit down; it’s inevitable that the province will be forced to legislate faculty back-to-work. The government will not tolerate a cancellation of the academic year.
UWindsor students cannot afford to lose summer jobs because there exams run into the first week of May to make up for a strike in October.
In short, the Minister of Labour must get the two sides into a room Monday morning or table back-to-work legislation; anything else will be letting students suffer in the interest of political appearances.
The Windsor Star had a strong editorial and cartoon against the faculty union on Friday.
(A side note, I’ve noted discussion about how a fall strike may hurt recruitment as grade 12 students are presently deciding which schools to apply to. If anything, I’d be more inclined to attend a university which settled contracts negotiations the year prior to my attending than one which faces contract talks during my first year)
Negotiations back on at UVic
Strike called off at Ontario colleges
Ontario’s more than 500,000 college students can breathe a little easier following the announcement of a tentative agreement between the province’s 24 public colleges and over 7,000 support staff represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union. Today’s announcement follows a marathon weekend session of bargaining to avoid a strike which was scheduled to begin [...]
Ontario’s more than 500,000 college students can breathe a little easier following the announcement of a tentative agreement between the province’s 24 public colleges and over 7,000 support staff represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.
Today’s announcement follows a marathon weekend session of bargaining to avoid a strike which was scheduled to begin Tuesday.
The strike would have resulted in longer than usual line-ups for students attempting to pick-up financial aid forms, register for classes, or purchase textbooks.
Colleges planned to remain open and classes were scheduled to continue during a strike.
“We are pleased that both sides were able to reach a new agreement prior to the starting of classes on Tuesday,” says Jenn Howarth, president of the College Student Alliance. “Students will now be able to access essential services and move about campuses with ease, knowing that all staff – administration, faculty and support staff – are there to assist them.”
Both sides are honouring a media blackout agreed to as part of their negotiations and no details of the agreement have been revealed.
The agreement still requires ratification by both parties.
Arbitrator’s ruling at St. Thomas U released
The Daily Gleaner reports that STU professors will have being teaching fewer classes and getting paid more next academic year following an arbitrator’s binding ruling. The faculty association and university administration agreed to arbitration after a month long strike/lock-out nearly cancelled the university’s second term. With arbitration now out of the way, the university will [...]
The Daily Gleaner reports that STU professors will have being teaching fewer classes and getting paid more next academic year following an arbitrator’s binding ruling.
The faculty association and university administration agreed to arbitration after a month long strike/lock-out nearly cancelled the university’s second term.
With arbitration now out of the way, the university will begin the process of compensating students using money saved during the strike.
Part time profs at Wilfrid Laurier begin strike
Affect on student exams unknown at this point
More than 350 part-time professors at Wilfrid Laurier University campuses in Brantford and Waterloo are on strike.
Picket lines began going up after 6 a.m. after all-night negotiations failed to achieve a settlement. The university’s part-time instructors, librarians, and teaching assistants voted 89 per cent in favour of a strike in ballots cast last week.
RELATED STORY: It hurts when you call me professor
Their chief negotiator, Herbert Pimlott, says the university has failed to address the key issues of wages and job security. It is not yet known yet how the walkout might affect students, who are scheduled to start exams on April 9.
No date or time has been established for a resumption of talks.
-with a report from CP
Strike over: New Brunswick college students prepare to return to class
College custodian reach agreement with government
More than 6,000 New Brunswick community college students will head back to class Monday, now that a strike involving college custodians has been settled.
“Life starts again,” said Cynthia Bell, a member of the New Brunswick Community College Student Association.
She said students were looking forward to continuing their studies which were disrupted by the five-week strike that began Jan. 10.
“We appreciate the return and hope that steps will be taken to insure that the future generations of students will not have to experience such a situation again,” she said in a statement.
Local 1251 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, which also includes human service counsellors and correctional officers, launched the strike in an effort to back demands for wage parity with other workers in New Brunswick and in neighbouring provinces.
The union argued that college custodians were making $1.12 per hour less than janitors in public schools, even though they worked for the same employer.
New Brunswick jail guards are the lowest paid in the country.
With 80 per cent of the jail guards deemed as essential workers and unable to strike, the work stoppage by college custodians had the most impact as campuses were forced to close due to dirty classrooms and bathrooms.
Both the union and the province dug in their heels during the dispute.
It finally came to a head this past week as the government recalled the legislature to consider back-to-work legislation.
The legislation was averted when a tentative agreement was reached early Wednesday, just hours before the start of the house session.
Union members voted Thursday – narrowly accepting the deal – with only 55 per cent voting in favour.
The ratified four-year contact contains wage increases ranging from 12.6 per cent to 21.8 per cent for the various classes.
“It’s the identical deal we were offered last week, except they added a $1,000 one-time signing bonus,” said Louis Arseneau, president of the union local.
Arseneau said the threat of back to work legislation was like having a gun to the union’s head and members had little choice but to accept the contract.
“You feel fairly powerless,” he said. “Imagine somebody that has full control on you with that type of threat, and they want to tell you how to dance.”
Arseneau said he expected that the colleges could be cleaned in time for classes to resume on Monday.
Elaine Bell, a spokeswoman for the Department of Post Secondary Education advised that students should call ahead to check on plans for their particular programs, but expected most, if not all, classes would resume Monday.
“According to the contingency plans we put into place, students will be able to complete their year on time,” Bell said.
“We do have some instances where students were sent home with assignments during the course of the dispute, while other students were sent on their practicums early,” she said.
-with a report from CP
N.B. legislature expected to pass back to work legislation to re-open colleges
6000 college student out of class due to custodial strike
The New Brunswick legislature is returning to session Wednesday to consider back-to-work legislation to end a month long CUPE strike which has closed several community colleges.
CUPE represents college custodial workers who are on strike. The strike, which began January 10, has resulted in 6000 students being out of class due to unsanitary conditions and safety concerns.
Last week, CUPE rejected a government offer of binding arbitration.
“It’s a make-or-break situation for thousands of young New Brunswickers,” Murphy said. “We have to act.”
- with files from CP
