Strike Action Averted for now

Tomorrow, there won't be a strike. However, the strike vote that the faculty took a couple of weeks ago is still in effect. This means that the faculty still has a right to legal strike action should they deem it necessary. Apparently negotiations are continuing and are quite close to being complete. FASBU is remaining tight lipped about what progress has been made. Meanwhile, negotiations are going to continue this week to see how far things get. Once a full agreement is reached between the bargaining teams, the agreement will be brought forward to all the FASBU members for a ratification vote. So really, aside from progress that has been made, not much has changed. However, I don't want to diminish the fact that negotiations are still taking place; this is the most important information that I have learned.

So the bargaining teams met each other today to keep negotiating. The provincial conciliator was also present on campus to assist with the process. Previously, NUFA announced that they had filed for conciliation but the administration did not and was not returning the conciliator's phone calls. Basically, a conciliator is a provincially appointed individual who assists teams with the bargaining process. Conciliation is not binding like arbitration is (where a neutral body makes a final decision if the two sides absolutely cannot agree) nor is this a form of back to work legislation. Apparently the conciliator came down hard on both teams and emphasized that a deal should be reached. I think that student queries along with the faculty strike mandate has had a positive effect on the process and goal of reaching a deal.

So, classes will continue as usual tomorrow and all professors will be at work doing their teaching, research, and community service work. This week could feature further negotiations if a deal is reached tonight. So, as they say, give it more time and it just might work itself out.