LATEST BARGAINING NEWS
Members of University College of the North - Locals 69 and 70 delivered a strong strike mandate to their Bargaining Committee on May 29, 2023.
A bargaining session with the employer was scheduled in September, but cancelled due to the provincial election. Both sides then agreed to meet on Wednesday, October 25 -- until it became clear the employer would still not have a funding mandate in place by then.
The Bargaining Committee remains eager to return to the table. As soon as UCN receives its mandate, the Committee is hopeful a new and improved deal can be reached fairly quickly.
Overview of Bargaining So Far
Members of University College of the North - Locals 69 and 70 had an opportunity to put forward their ideas and proposals for improving their collective agreement on January 31, 2022 in The Pas and February 2, 2022 in Thompson.
The Bargaining Committee then worked to pull together these proposals into a package to present to the employer.
The University College of the North - Locals 69 and 70 Bargaining Committee began negotiations with the employer on April 27, 2022 and continued on June 14 and 15, July 19 and 20, and August 9 and 10, 2022, and into the fall of 2022. The Committee continued to meet with the employer on February 28 and March 1, and April 18 and 19, 2023.
On Wednesday April 19, 2023, The University College of the North - Locals 69 and 70 Bargaining Committee received a final offer from the employer. Although both were able to agree upon the majority of proposals, the Committee believed that the employers’ wage offer was unacceptable.
The Committee recommended that members vote against the offer and deliver a strike mandate.
How Does a Strike Mandate Help?
Voting to support a strike does not necessarily mean the Locals will go on strike. A strike mandate shows strength and solidarity. The intention is to increase the Bargaining Committee's leverage at the table so they can achieve a fair agreement. A strike mandate also gives the Bargaining Committee the authority to call a strike, if necessary.
The Committee held information meetings as follows:
Thursday, May 18, 2023 - 4:45 pm -- Best Western Inn Thompson
Friday, May 19, 2023 - 4:45 pm -- Wescana Inn The Pas
Tuesday, May 23, 2023 - 5:00 pm -- Virtual Meeting on Webex
Votes were cast electronically (online) or by phone starting Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at 7:00 pm through to Monday, May 29, 2023 at noon.