Media Releases >  Media Releases Archive  > SFU exams start Monday, injunction granted

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Simon Fraser University is pleased with an injunction granted in the
Supreme Court of British Columbia late this afternoon that prohibits illegal
picket activity by striking CUPE 3338 members. SFU sought the injunction
after mass pickets placed illegal blockades on roadways Friday and
confrontations occured between union members, students and other university
employees.

Kathryn Aberle, speaking for the university said, "We have a long history of
good relations with clerical and technical staff at SFU. We believe SFU's
CUPE workers agree wholeheartedly with the judge's prohibition against
assault and intimidation directed at anyone in the university community."

The university remains open and examinations will proceed as scheduled. SFU
is advising the 5,000 students writing exams on Monday to allow extra time
to get to the university given the possibility of traffic and transit
disruptions.

SFU tabled an improved offer at the labour relations board on April 2 and
gave the union a formal invitiation to return immediately to
mediator-assisted bargaining on Friday. CUPE has so far failed to reply
while claiming publicly that the university refuses to negotiate.

Striking Poly Party members representing building trades at SFU also
received an improved offer from the university last week. Poly Party is
considering the proposal and negotiations continue. The University is
hopeful that a fair settlement can be reached with Poly Party through this
process and believes the same is possible with CUPE.

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Contact:
Kathryn Aberle, director - media & public relations
tel: 604 291-3929 email: aberle@sfu.ca