Support workers at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo are moving closer to a potential strike action, as bargaining efforts have continued to stall around a new collective agreement.
According to the local institution, the two sides, including the school and the Wilfrid Laurier University Staff Association (WLUSA), have been negotiating since June, when negotiations were underway alongside the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF).
Earlier this month, the school’s faculty union, Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty Association (WLUFA), was able to reach an agreement with the school; however, the institution’s support staff have yet to agree on terms with Laurier.
“Following 11 days of bargaining and one day of conciliation earlier this week, the Parties were unable to reach an agreement,” said the local institution in a release.
The school stated that, back on Sept. 15, the union requested a “no board report” from the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
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“Once the report is issued, a 17-day countdown begins, after which a legal strike or lockout can occur,” Laurier stated.
“Leading up to a strike deadline, both parties have agreed to meet with a mediator to help reach an agreement. This is part of the normal negotiation process and provides the assistance of a skilled neutral third party to assist the parties in reaching a deal.”
If a potential strike action were to be carried out, the university has said that it will remain open and “student services and programming will continue – albeit at reduced levels in some areas.”
“All university faculty, contract teaching faculty, librarians, staff not represented by WLUSA/OSSTF, and management will be expected to continue to carry out their regular work responsibilities,” said the institution.
“The university is focused on having plans in place to help ensure academic and operational continuity.”
It comes after the school reached a tentative agreement with the WLUFA back on Sept. 4, with the two parties having met as many as 15 times since those negotiations began in June. That deal was ratified shortly later in September.
That 17-day countdown in the negotiations between Laurier and its support staff would ultimately mean a strike action or lockout could be called around the first week of October.
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