Changes to labour regulations leave UCalgary faculty feeling unprepared for possible strike

The bargaining round between the University of Calgary Faculty Association and UCalgary has reportedly been made more difficult by changes to the province’s labour regulations. The passing of Bill 7: An Act to Enhance Post-Secondary Bargaining at the beginning of May, amid negotiations between the university and faculty association, removed compulsory arbitration for labour disputes. Without a transition period, Metro News reports that the association will need to set up a strike fund and new rules if their negotiations fail, and that the struggle to adapt has drawn perceived criticism from AB Advanced Education Minister Marlin Schmidt. “He told us there would be a transition period, and there wasn’t,” said TUCFA President Sandra Hoenle. “We were somewhat upset that he was blaming our lack of preparedness on us, when in fact it was the ministry’s actions that caused the issues.” Metro News | The Gauntlet