Two days of conciliation failed to solve issues between Nipissing University and its Faculty Association (NUFA).
The association issued a news release saying it, "regrets that talks have broken down".
“We are very disappointed in the employer’s lack of vision for the future of the university. Our faculty would rather be in the classroom teaching than walking a picket line,” said NUFA President Susan Srigley.
"However, NUFA decided there was no option at this point other than to submit a request for a 'No Board' report to the Ministry of Labour."
After a "no board report" the conciliation officer tells the Ontario Minister of Labour Kevin Flynn that a collective agreement was unable to be worked out. The minister then issues a notice informing the union and the employer that he "does not consider it advisable to appoint a conciliation board".
The Association will be in a legal strike position seventeen days after the Ministry issues the report.
The current negotiations with the full-time faculty bargaining unit (FASBU), which represents the 173 full-time faculty Members, began in March of this year.
Job security is one of the major issues says Srigley. "It was one of our number one concerns before we went into bargaining, and we think this impacts on the kind of education students get."
Faculty also want a pay raise.
"Our requests for compensation are very modest," explained Srigley. "We remain one of the lowest paid faculty in the province.
"We also want a fair say in terms of our part in the university, like collegial governance, and maintaining the academic mission of the university. We're very invested in making sure the university is a place that provides a good, quality education and that it's run well."
Srigley says after five months the two sides have failed to make significant progress on major issues.
“We are passionate about our University and we are committed to protecting and improving the quality of education that our students receive,” says Srigley. “We remain hopeful that a deal can be reached before our strike deadline.”
University spokesman Bob Pipe told BayToday that "Nipissing University is committed to the negotiation process and looks forward to continuing discussions with faculty."
