CAUT | ACPPU
Canadian Association of University Teachers
| CAUT condemns Manitoba government's intervention in Brandon strike |
| (Tuesday, November 22, 2011)
- [Letter in .pdf format] [CAUT motion] November 22, 2011 Hon. Jennifer Howard Minister of Labour and Immigration Government of Manitoba 450 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0V8 Dear Minister: The Executive Committee of the Canadian Association of University Teachers has reviewed your decision to order members of the Brandon University Faculty Association (BUFA) to vote on the “final offer” made by the Employer in the on-going contact dispute. Members of the CAUT Executive voted unanimously for a motion condemning your unprecedented action. The effect of the Government’s intervention is to undermine the collective bargaining process by taking away the employer’s incentive to negotiate, and thereby likely prolonging the strike. Further, we are troubled by your subsequent statement in a letter to the BUFA and the university administration that, contrary to what you said in the Provincial Legislature on Nov. 1, you are interpreting the legislation to permit the employer to apply to the Labour Relations Board to adjudicate the dispute should BUFA members reject the Employer’s final offer in the upcoming vote. We call upon you and your government to live up to your commitment to collective bargaining by allowing the parties to resolve the matter themselves. To impose arbitration will have the effect of rewarding the employer’s recalcitrance and cause long-term labour relations difficulties at Brandon. Sincerely, Wayne D. Peters James L. Turk President Executive Director cc: The Honourable Greg Selinger, Premier |
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