Professor Dr. Darryl Whetter leads the protesters in song at Université Sainte-Anne.
The union representing striking staff at Universite Sainte-Anne has requested binding arbitration.
In a release, the Association of Professors and Librarians of the university say they made the request to Nova Scotia’s Acting Chief Conciliation and Mediation Officer, in order to immediately end the current labour dispute.
The group voted in favour of strike action last month, if necessary, and officially walked off the job in early March, to show how serious they are about achieving a more equitable collective agreement.
The union says despite progress made, it’s become clear the parties cannot agree on important issues that led to the strike, and the administration has not offered serious counter-proposals.
They say it’s important for students to be able to complete their term and earn their diplomas, and students with internships or summer jobs must be able to move on with their lives.
Another release from Professor Darryl Whetter says the university has declined binding arbitration.
He says the university tried to pre-impose their own limits on arbitration, which he says is contradicts the process.
In a statement to Acadia News, the administration says they have agreed to binding arbitration to resolve demands involving working conditions, teaching load and monetary issues.
However, they say the management rights of the Board of Governors are set out in a provincial act governing the university.
They say the board sets the direction for the university, and establishes its administrative and management policies.
The university says they incorporate significant faculty input into management decisions, and co-management arrangements with a union would create conflicts of interest.
