Union at university serves strike notice
Thompson Rivers University administration says students will not be impacted by an ongoing labour dispute involving more than 600 of the university's support staff.
CUPE Local 4879's strike committee, which on Monday, Oct. 1, served 72-hour strike notice, is meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 2, to discuss potential job action on campus.
"Currently, there are no interruptions to classes and services at TRU and we remain hopeful that the parties can reach an agreement without disruptions," said Christopher Seguin, the university's vice-president of advancement.
"It's important to note that negotiations have never stopped and we're extremely optimistic."
CUPE Local 4879 represents 607 support workers in a variety of fields at TRU, including filing clerks, janitors, cafeteria aides, research assistants and book buyers.
The issues, the union says, are job security, inflation protection and wage increases.
In August, 68 per cent of local membership voted 83 per cent in favour of strike action.
Seguin said the university is working hard to come to a resolution.
"We're going to do everything we can within our mandate to come to a fair settlement and minimize any disruptions to our students," he said.
Union president Lois Rugg said at the time of the strike vote that the local’s goal is to not impact students but to pressure the university.
The two sides are slated to meet again on Oct. 18.
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