On Campus

Brandon University strike talks to resume Monday

Students can’t be punished for not crossing picket lines

Photo by ggbaker on Panoramio

There has been a lot of misinformation about the current strike by Brandon University’s Faculty Association (BUFA). Here’s what we do know.

Reports earlier this week suggested that students will be punished if they choose to skip the classes of any professor who chooses to go back to work before the strike ends. President Deborah Poff wrote Tuesday that no student was ever at risk of being punished. “Students have a right not to cross a picket line,” she wrote. “It is an act of political and moral conscience, and Brandon University will not discriminate against students for their political beliefs.”

It was also reported that talks had broken off on Wednesday, as the conciliator had returned to Winnipeg. But BUFA writes today that although the two sides will not meet again until Monday, that’s because the conciliator is unavailable until then, not because talks had broken off. BUFA also confirmed that they have rejected the schools’ offers for arbitration or mediation and arbitration.

BUFA Faculty Association President Prof. Joe Dolecki told the Winnipeg Free Press Wednesday that they’ve reduced their wage-increase demands to 2.9, 3.0, and 3.25 per cent over three years, but the university continues to offer 0.5, 1.0, and 2.75 per cent. To see how Brandon University’s professors’ wages compare with those of their colleagues at other universities, click here.

The Canadian Association of University Teachers has offered a $1-million line of credit to BUFA.

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