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Strike action threatened at SFU
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March 21, 2003
Job action is threatened Monday morning at Simon Fraser University by CUPE local 3338, representing clerical and technical staff. The university's campuses at Burnaby Mountain, Harbour Centre and Surrey will remain open, although disruptions to transit, food and library services could occur.
The university tabled a fair offer at mediation two and a half weeks ago and has not yet received a response from the union. The parties were originally scheduled to meet with the mediator on March 13, 2003, but that session was cancelled by CUPE when the union's chief negotiator was called to participate in activities related to the UBC labour dispute. Although a negotiating session is still scheduled for next Wednesday, CUPE delivered 72 hour strike notice today and publicly declared its intention to take job action on Monday. The university regrets the effect CUPE's decision could have on students and other employee groups but remains hopeful that a negotiated settlement can still be reached.
SFU has been working hard to conclude an agreement under challenging circumstances. Kathryn Aberle, speaking for SFU, says the university is looking forward to a return to negotiations. "We have a history of positive relations with our CUPE staff and this dispute is unfortunate for all concerned. One of the challenges both parties face is the Public Sector Employers' Council mandate that general wage increases for any collective agreement beginning on or after January 1, 2002 must be held to 0% until March 31, 2005."
Exceptions to the 0-0-0 mandate are allowed where efficiency savings can be found or where it can be shown that current compensation packages are below market and have resulted in recruitment or retention problems. The university believes the proposal it has on the table offers a way to resolve outstanding issues while remaining in compliance. But, with the latest developments by the union, the university is concerned that labour issues elsewhere appear to be working to the detriment of SFU students and employees.
On a separate labour relations issue, SFU and its unionized trades and labourers (Poly Party) reached a tentative agreement with the assistance of a mediator on March 13th. The membership will vote on the offer next Thursday.
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Contact
Kathryn Aberle, director – Media & Public Relations
604.291.3929, aberle@sfu.ca
Labour Dispute Updates
The university tabled a fair offer at mediation two and a half weeks ago and has not yet received a response from the union. The parties were originally scheduled to meet with the mediator on March 13, 2003, but that session was cancelled by CUPE when the union's chief negotiator was called to participate in activities related to the UBC labour dispute. Although a negotiating session is still scheduled for next Wednesday, CUPE delivered 72 hour strike notice today and publicly declared its intention to take job action on Monday. The university regrets the effect CUPE's decision could have on students and other employee groups but remains hopeful that a negotiated settlement can still be reached.
SFU has been working hard to conclude an agreement under challenging circumstances. Kathryn Aberle, speaking for SFU, says the university is looking forward to a return to negotiations. "We have a history of positive relations with our CUPE staff and this dispute is unfortunate for all concerned. One of the challenges both parties face is the Public Sector Employers' Council mandate that general wage increases for any collective agreement beginning on or after January 1, 2002 must be held to 0% until March 31, 2005."
Exceptions to the 0-0-0 mandate are allowed where efficiency savings can be found or where it can be shown that current compensation packages are below market and have resulted in recruitment or retention problems. The university believes the proposal it has on the table offers a way to resolve outstanding issues while remaining in compliance. But, with the latest developments by the union, the university is concerned that labour issues elsewhere appear to be working to the detriment of SFU students and employees.
On a separate labour relations issue, SFU and its unionized trades and labourers (Poly Party) reached a tentative agreement with the assistance of a mediator on March 13th. The membership will vote on the offer next Thursday.
- 30 -
Contact
Kathryn Aberle, director – Media & Public Relations
604.291.3929, aberle@sfu.ca
Labour Dispute Updates