UNB academic staff on strike

The association representing academic staff at the University of New Brunswick went on strike on Monday after it and the university failed to come to an agreement over the weekend. With the exception of courses offered in Miramichi and some online courses, all classes will be suspended for the duration of the strike, reports a statement from UNB President H.E.A. (Eddy) Campbell. The statement also says that the Association of University of New Brunswick Teachers (AUNBT) and UNB will continue to negotiate. “Collectively, I know we will do everything we can to facilitate orderly operations during the strike,” says Campbell. The AUNBT represents over 1,000 full-time and contract academic staff, librarians and researchers at the university. Compensation and working conditions remain the key issues, according to AUNBT President Miriam Jones. Jones says staff members want to be treated the same as their peers, adding that “members are up to 48% behind salaries at other schools.” UNB Statement | Globe and Mail

Postscript: The AUNBT wishes to clarify that member salaries are 12.5 % behind salaries at other schools rather than the reported 48%.  They are seeking a 3% annual wage increase to track the agreed comparator group, plus 3.1% annually to catch up to comparator group salaries over a 4-year agreement. (January 20, 2014)  

Update: January 29, 2014

The New Brunswick government has ordered the University of New Brunswick and its faculty association back to the bargaining table this week in an attempt to end a strike that has halted classes. NB Minister of Labour and PSE Jody Carr has appointed experienced mediator Brian Keller to help work out an agreement. Globe and Mail