Special conciliator takes on Manitoba strike

A special conciliator was brought in Wednesday to help both sides reach a deal in the faculty strike at the University of Manitoba.

A special conciliator was brought in Wednesday to help both sides reach a deal in the faculty strike at the University of Manitoba.

Neither side was talking about whether any progress was being made.

The strike began Tuesday, affecting 29,000 students at the province's largest university.
It came one day after the 1,200-member faculty association rejected a contract counter-offer from the school.

Faculty association president Mark Hudson had said picket would remain up during the conciliation process.

The faculty's last collective agreement expired in March. Mediated talks broke down last week over issues including wages, workload and performance assessments.

John Kearsey, vice-president of external relations, has said the university is hoping conciliation will lead to a deal, but he said the university has already offered compromises.

The university has offered a seven per cent salary increase over four years, while the association is seeking a 6.9 per cent raise in one year.

The Manitoba government told the university last month that it would like to see a zero per cent increase in the coming year to help the province battle its deficit. Premier Brian Pallister has not ruled out seeking similar wage freezes across the public sector.
  • The Canadian Press
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