Wpg Free Press: Premier to U of M and faculty: extend collective agreement at zero per cent

As Nick Martin at the Winnipeg Free Press reports:

University of Manitoba president David Barnard and U of M Faculty Association president Prof. Mark Hudson said in a joint statement Friday afternoon that the Pallister government has told them to extend their collective agreement one year at zero per cent.

The two sides are in their second day of mediation in a bid to avert a 7 a.m. strike deadline Tuesday.

“Bargaining has been presented with an unexpected complication, but both parties are resolved to continue discussions,” the two sides said in a joint statement.

Premier Brian Pallister’s staff said the government would have a statement later this afternoon, but pointed out that the government is not the employer and is not at the bargaining table.

Said Barnard: “Over the past several days, the province has made clear to the university that it has established fresh mandate parameters that seek co-operation in achieving a compensation “pause” throughout the public sector. Public bodies, including the University of Manitoba, are being asked to extend existing contracts for an additional year at zero per cent in order to stabilize public sector compensation levels.