Nova Scotia’s largest university could be facing more labour troubles.
Support workers at Dalhousie University began a strike vote last night.
The 360 workers include custodians, maintenance workers, trade workers, drivers and security staff.
The union team reached a tentative agreement with the university, but the local workers rejected it, forcing a strike vote.
“The bargaining committee recommended acceptance and the local rejected it…and we now have to take a strike vote,” says Joan Jessome, president of the Nova Scotia Government and Employees Union. “We’re asking the members if they’re really not happy with this contract to give us a strong mandate so if there’s anything more for us to get, we have the power to get it.”
Roughly 150 workers cast ballots last night. Voting is expected to continue through Thursday evening.
Jessome says the university could shut down if the workers choose to strike.
Shift premiums and inconsistency among the trades are the key issues.
