JOB ACTION TOMORROW AT VIU

CUPE 1858 to participate in two-day job action along with other locals at BC post-secondary institutions

VIU RELEASE: 2012/138

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, November 19, 2012

NANAIMO, BC – Vancouver Island University (VIU) has just learned that the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 1858 will participate in a two-day labour action beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, November 20, and Wednesday, November 21, 2012. While both parties have worked extremely hard to avoid any disruptions to students, it is now confirmed that this job action will go ahead at VIU along with CUPE locals at several other B.C. post-secondary institutions.

Picket lines are expected to be in place as early as 7:00 a.m. tomorrow at VIU campuses in Nanaimo, Cowichan, Parksville/Qualicum and Powell River. Secondary sites such as Deep Bay Research Station, G.R. Paine Centre and Milner Gardens, and practicum locations such as public schools or hospitals will not be picketed. Updates on picket activity can be found at www.viu.ca/labourupdate. Please continue to monitor your emails and the VIU website for updates.

Members of VIU’s other bargaining units, the Vancouver Island University Faculty Association (VIUFA) and the British Columbia Government and Services Employees’ Union (BCGEU), will likely respect any picket line that CUPE chooses to establish. Therefore, classes and most services are cancelled tomorrow, Tuesday November 20, and possibly November 21, where a picket line has been established.

Students and the public may visit www.viu/labourupdate for more information on the impacts of this labour action by viewing the Frequently Asked Questions section. For additional questions, please email labourinfo@viu.ca.

At this time, CUPE 1858 has indicated that this will be a two-day labour action. If the parties are able to reach a settlement in the meantime, the labour action may conclude before that time.

VIU and CUPE have worked hard to settle this bargaining process, and are committed to completing a negotiated settlement without further disruption to students. We regret the inconvenience this labour action will cause, especially for our students, and are hopeful that it will conclude quickly and positively.

The next update will be made available tomorrow, Tuesday, November 20, or earlier if events warrant. Updates will continue to be posted on the VIU website at www.viu.ca/labourupdate, and on Twitter at @VIUNews.

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ABOUT VIU: Vancouver Island University is Canada’s west coast university. Known as a centre of excellence for teaching, learning and applied research, VIU offers a diverse range of certificate, diploma and undergraduate and master degree programs to more than 18,000 students on campuses in Nanaimo, Powell River and Cowichan, and at the Parksville-Qualicum Centre. For more information visit www.viu.ca

Media ContactS


Dan Hurley, Executive Director, University Relations, Vancouver Island University


P: 250.740.6150 E: Dan.Hurley@viu.ca Twitter: @VIUNews