Sessionals vote to reject U of M’s proposals
Despite strike mandate, admin and CUPE are still trying to work it out
Chelsea Moore Staff
Sessional instructors at the U of M have voted to strike, but classes will remain in session, for now, as the union continues negotiations with the university administration.
On February 8 and 9, 2006, sessionals, as members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE 3909), voted overwhelmingly to reject the University of Manitoba’s offer for a new contract.
With this mandate, the union has the right to call a strike on behalf of its Unit II members (sessionals, librarians and counsellors), without legal ramifications.
“With a rejection of the university’s offer it means that under provincial labour law, the union now reserves the right to withhold their labour to strike if they so choose,” said Michael Kirkpatrick, the office coordinator at CUPE Local 3909.
“Essentially, when there is a reject vote, it shows us where our membership stands,” added Kirkpatrick.
Ana Vialard, a U of M sessional instructor and union representative, met with the university last Friday to hand over the results of the vote and to discuss what will happen next.
“We gave the vote numbers to the university, and we suggested to the university that they should sweeten the pot a little bit if they wanted to make our members happy,” noted Vialard.
“A strike mandate also gives us the opportunity to revisit issues with the university . . . which is what today’s meeting was about,” added Vialard.
John Danakas, U of M’s director of public affairs, said that the university is seeking a “positive” outcome in their ongoing negotiations with CUPE.
“Our intention is to continue the collective bargaining process, and we’re hopeful that we can reach a resolution,” said Danakas.
Since August of 2005, CUPE has been negotiating with the university on behalf of sessionals, librarians and counsellors.
However, the failed attempt of both parties to reach a consensus resulted in the appointment of a government conciliator in December to help solve the issue.
Job security with retroactivity that recognizes past labour remains one of the chief concerns brought to the table by the union. So far, union representatives said, CUPE and the university have not come to an agreement on this issue.
If a compromise between the two parties is not reached, it is possible that some form of job action will ensue — whether it is another vote or a full-out strike.
“Generally there is an understanding that nobody wants a strike,” said Vialard, adding that it is a “last resort.”
“It’s a sad reality that a bargaining unit would feel the need to have to walk out and to have to strike,” noted Kirkpatrick, “but luckily we’re not at that point yet.”
“We’re talking,” said Kirkpatrick. “We have a meeting to be scheduled next week to talk about whether their final offer is going to be improved or not, and we’ll sort of go on from there.”
