Negotiations resume at UNBC as faculty strike continues

VANCOUVER – Negotiations resumed at the University of Northern B.C. on Thursday as students remain out of classes.

The UNBC Faculty Association went on strike on March 6 following months of negotiations over a new contract. According to the university the big issues that still remain are related to compensation.

“The University has proposed a compensation package which includes a minimum General Wage Increase of 0, 1, 1.5, 1.5, and 1.5% over the five-year agreement, consistent with the provincial government’s Economic Stability Mandate,” the university posted on their website.

The faculty have been posting about the strike on Twitter and Facebook.

Students also held a rally at noon today to voice their concerns about how the strike as affected them.

Erik Jensen, a member of the UNBC Faculty Association told CKPG on Wednesday they are hopeful the two sides will reach an agreement soon and everyone can get back to work.

Both sides have not met since last Friday.

“We’ve been really working on different options within the financial proposal that we’ve made,” Rob Van Adrichem, vice president of external relations for the university, told CKPG.

Jensen said the two sides have to come together on the salary issue and do it soon so things can return to normal.

Report from CKPG:

Global News will have more coverage on this issue throughout the day.