The labour dispute between UNBC and its faculty is entering its final chapter.
Talks between the two sides and arbitrator Stanley Layton wrapped up on Monday.
“Now it’s all in the hands of the arbitrator, including how long it will take.” Faculty Association President Stephen Rader said “We are all hoping for a relatively quick decision, although my guess is that we probably won’t hear anything until perhaps as late as February.”
Going into the meetings, there was a significant gap between the two parties on issues surrounding compensation structure and salaries as well as the length of the agreement.
University HR Director and Interim VP of Admin & Finance Barb Daigle participated in the meetings. She says both sides took turns stating their case, mostly expanded on what was posted online last month. UNBC’s submission can be read here, UNBC FA here.
“I’m very comfortable the arbitrator heard everything he needed to hear.” Daigle said “When we get the decision, of course it’s a binding decision, we will act on it and implement it. There may be some issues arising from it where we will need the arbitrators help, which is pretty typical and normal as well.”
This comes after the university applied for an arbitrator under section 55 of the Labour Code in March, ending a two week strike by staff. Section 55 lays out a special process for first collective agreements.