November 2, 2012 - 3:35am
VIU RELEASE: 2012/127
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, November 2, 2012
NANAIMO, BC –Vancouver Island University (VIU) and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 1838 have agreed to move to mediation as the next step in the collective bargaining process.
The parties will meet with a private mediator during the next few days with the goal of achieving a renewed collective agreement.
CUPE Local 1838 represents nearly 300 employees including food services workers, clerical staff, facilities workers and library staff at VIU’s five campuses.
Both VIU and CUPE are committed to reaching a fair, negotiated settlement that is fair to all of our employees, while also respecting the current fiscal challenges and realities. We also agree that our first priority is our students, and we will continue to work together to come to agreement without any disruption to our students.
The next update will be made available on Tuesday, November 6, or earlier, if events warrant. These updates will be posted to the VIU website at www.viu.ca/labourupdate, the CUPE website at www.cupe1858.org, and on Twitter at @VIUNews.
Until then, the parties have agreed to make no further public comment.
-30-
MEDIA CONTACTS
Dan Hurley, Executive Director, University Relations, Vancouver Island University
P: 250.740.6150 E: Dan.Hurley@viu.ca Twitter: @VIUNews
Deborah Hopper, President, CUPE Local 1858
P: 250.741.7942 E: Pres.cupe1858@live.ca
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, 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.
Tags: In the Community
