Striking CBU faculty members ratify contract offer, ending nearly two-week strike
Striking Cape Breton University faculty members have ratified the university's most recent contract offer.
According to a news release from the Cape Breton University Faculty Association (CBUFA), 203 of its 220 members voted, with 83.7 per cent in favour of accepting the terms of the offer.
The financial terms of the contract include base wage increases of 3.25 per cent, 2.9 per cent, and 2.75 per cent over three years, plus partially contingent, one-time bonuses of varying amounts in each year.
"As educators, we look forward to returning to our workspaces across campus and in the community,” said CBUFA vice-president Calvin Howley.
“Although this agreement moves us closer towards equitable wages, there is work to be done in repairing the relationship between CBUFA and administration. We hope to see the administration move toward greater collegiality and respect for faculty, with a stronger emphasis on high quality education for students.”
Faculty members reached a tentative agreement late Sunday afternoon after months of negotiations, with the help of a provincial conciliator.
“We are grateful for the help of the provincial conciliation services, without them a deal would not have occurred at this time," said CBUFA president Dr. Adango Miadonye.
"The positive outcome of the membership ratification vote means that members are able to return to their regular duties and to work with students again.”
Miadonye says he is grateful for the support received from students, community members and colleagues at other universities.
“I am especially proud of – and grateful to – the CBUFA members who picketed and who performed other strike duties. We stood the gaff, together," he said.
Members of the CBUFA, which represents professors, librarians, lab instructors, writing centre advisers, archivists, research chairs and nursing practice educators, walked off the job on Jan. 27.
Members went on strike to support demands for salaries that keep pace with inflation, respect for the collective agreement, and to maintain the quality of education at the university.
The union had also said administration disrespected it at every turn, leading to a large number of labour grievances.
The administration said the union was originally seeking a 14 per cent raise over the next two years.
The first wage proposal from the university offered an increase of eight per cent over the next three years, in addition to existing annual step increases.
Faculty members voted 92 per cent in favour of a strike in September.
Most classes have been cancelled since the strike began, with some students joining faculty members on the picket line.
With files from The Canadian Press.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
U.S. FAA launches investigation into unauthorized personnel in cockpit of Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto
The U.S.’s Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a video that appears to show unauthorized personnel in the cockpit of a charted Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto.