3:53 p.m.
UNBC has responded to the UNBC Faculty Association's (UNBCFA) announcement of taking down picket lines at 4:30 this afternoon (Nov. 29) with students going back to class on Monday (Dec. 2).
The UNBCFA, however, is filing a complaint with the Labour Relations Board stating bad faith bargaining:
President Dr. Daniel Weeks issued the following statement:
"I am very happy to see that the FA has agreed to remove picket lines and allow students to return to class. The University community will do all we can to welcome students back to our campuses and support them as they finish this semester," Weeks said.
In addition, I look forward to welcoming all our colleagues, including FA and CUPE members, as they return to work. This has been a challenging time, but I am certain we can find ways to collaborate in support of this institution’s vision, mission and values.
This time will also give us some space to continue working on our issues. We recognize this is an important gesture that provides us the ability to continue bargaining, focus on people, and resume normal operations.
As for the FA’s decision to file an unfair labour practice, the Employer understands that it is the prerogative of the Faculty Association to file this claim. The Employer will present our position to the Labour Board.
The Special mediator has indicated he will be in touch with us in the coming days and we look forward to his input in helping us achieve a negotiated settlement.
The Provost will provide further information regarding the return to classes later today."
Classes are back in session Monday, Dec. 2. Please follow the link to see the latest bargaining announcement. https://t.co/7KnvaKVt2d pic.twitter.com/q5VRA1Cikb
— University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) (@UNBC) November 29, 2019
3:40 p.m.
There's a bit of a silver lining when it comes to the UNBCFA strike, at least for students.
Faculty announced at a news conference this afternoon (Nov. 29) they are removing picket lines as of 4:30 p.m. today and teachers will go back to teaching duties while the faculty association files a bad-faith complaint with the B.C. Labour Relations Board (LRB).
The association made the decision after talks involving both sides and Special Mediator Trevor Sones, who was appointed by B.C. Labour Minister Harry Bains on Tuesday (Nov. 26) to try and break the impasse between the university and faculty.
They had called on the provincial government to appoint a mediator earlier that morning.
"We are disappointed that we have to take this complaint to the Board," UNBC FA Vice-President Paul Siakaluk said in a news release.
"We hoped that the presence of a special mediator and the legal counsel for both parties would lead to a quick resolution of this issue during yesterday’s negotiating session. Unfortunately, that did not happen."
Vital update for @UNBCFA @CUPE3799 @CUPE2278 @CUPEBC @NUGSS_UNBC @NBCGSS @UniteHere40 #UNBCFAStrong pic.twitter.com/urIRRYCKWd
— UNBC-FA (@UNBCFA) November 29, 2019
The UNBCFA is asking the LRB to rule that the university is guilty of bargaining in bad faith.
Siakaluk says they were ready to remain at the negotiating table to hammer out a deal, but Sones decided to adjourn bargaining while the complaint is considered.
"We indicated that we were willing to continue negotiations while the LRB process unfolds," added Siakaluk. "However, the mediator decided to call for an adjournment of negotiations while the complaint is adjudicated."
The news release added, "While the bargaining table is not available to us, we will not exert needless hardship on our students and other unions supporting us."
While the faculty will resume teaching duties this afternoon with UNBC saying students will be back in the classrooms on Monday (Dec. 2).
The UNBCFA represents faculty members, librarians, lab instructors and sessional instructors.
