By Veronica Beltran

UNBC FA return to teaching duties

UNBC FA members return to teaching duties after decision to file complaint

Nov 29, 2019 | 3:19 PM

PRINCE GEORGE–The UNBC Faculty Association has announced they will be filing a bad-faith bargaining complaint against the UNBC administration, this after two days of intense mediation.

“We are disappointed that we have to take this complaint to the Board,” said UNBC FA Vice-President Paul Siakaluk. “We hoped that the presence of a special mediator and the legal counsel for both parties would lead to a quick resolution of this issue during yesterday’s negotiating session. Unfortunately, that did not happen.”

The decision to file the complaint before the Labour Relations Board (LRB), was made earlier today, asking for a ruling that the Employer has been guilty of bargaining in bad faith.

“We recognize that it might take a considerable time for the LRB to consider our application,” said Siakaluk. “Meanwhile, our students’ semester hangs in the balance. We have been dismayed at the needless delays in bargaining, and we now find ourselves unable to bargain until the LRB determines our complaint.”

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Siakaluk says that picketing will be suspended today at 4:30 p.m (Friday, Nov.29) so that the semester can be completed. “The purpose of a strike is to exert pressure at the bargaining table. While the bargaining table is not available to us, we will not exert needless hardship on our students and on the other unions supporting us.”

UNBC FA members will return to their teaching duties after 4:30 p.m today (Friday, Nov. 29.) Limited job action will continue, however, by withdrawing all internal university service with the exception of UNBC Senate and Board of Governors duties.

UNBC President Dr. Daniel Weeks released a statement saying he is happy to see that the FA has agreed to remove the picket lines, allowing students to return to class. “This time will also give us some space to continue working on our issues,” said Weeks, “as for the decision to file an unfair labour practice, the Employer understands that this is the prerogative of the FA to file this claim. The Employer will present our position to the Labour Board.”