Bargaining Update: Local 45 – Université Sainte-Anne Files for Conciliation

Your bargaining committee exchanged proposals with the employer on December 20, 2022. Since then, we have had two additional days of bargaining. Unfortunately, we have reached an impasse, as there is a significant gap between what your bargaining committee and the employer view as fair wage increases.

It has become clear that we are not going to reach an agreement that the membership can accept at the table, so the union has filed for Conciliation.

What is Conciliation? Conciliation is a requirement under the Nova Scotia Trade Union Act that takes place when regular negotiations fail to reach an agreement. Either party may apply to the Minister of Labour requesting the services of a Conciliation Officer. The Conciliation Officer does not have the power to impose a settlement on either party. Instead, their role is to mediate between the parties and help them reach an agreement.

Next steps:

The Department of Labour will appoint a Conciliation Officer to help the parties attempt to conclude your collective agreement. NSGEU will advise the membership as soon as we have dates for Conciliation.

In the meantime, your bargaining committee will be holding an important strike vote to back your bargaining demands in Conciliation. It is critical that we get a strong strike mandate to put pressure on your employer during this process. It is important to note that this is NOT a vote that will initiate a strike: another vote will be held on whatever offer or agreement comes out of the conciliation process.

We are holding an in-person and virtual information session on Thursday, January 19 at 4:30 p.m. to discuss these outstanding items and the importance of the upcoming strike vote. Your bargaining committee and lead negotiator will be present to hear comments and answer any questions you may have.

We will send a meeting location and link to this session in a separate email closer to the meeting date.

Please make every effort to attend this important meeting and participate in the strike vote. Feel free to help spread the word among your coworkers.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact a member of your bargaining committee.

Bargaining committee:

Darren Blinn, Darren.Blinn@usainteanne.ca

Arlene Comeau, Arlene.Comeau@usainteanne.ca

Lorraine Saulnier, Lorraine.Saulnier@usainteanne.ca

Lead Negotiator Brandon Rose brose@nsgeu.ca