Province to appoint mediator in UPEI contract dispute

The P.E.I. authorities intends to nominate a mediator to assist negotiate a brand new collective settlement between the College of Prince Edward Island and its college affiliation.

Financial Development Minister Bloyce Thompson knowledgeable the UPEI School Affiliation in a letter on Friday, noting {that a} conciliator was unable to unravel the continuing dispute.

“After consideration of the conciliation officer’s report, and in a superb religion try to help the events in reaching an settlement on their excellent points, I’ve, as Minister liable for the administration of the Labour Act, decided to nominate a mediator pursuant to part 34 of the Labour Act,” the letter reads.

Discussions between UPEI and the college affiliation on a brand new contract started in April. The primary conciliation assembly was held Sept. 28.

Thompson stated he’ll appoint a mediator as shortly as attainable.

Based on the Labour Act, a mediator has 14 days from the time of appointment to file a report with the minister on the standing of negotiations.

If the mediator is unable to result in an settlement, each events will enter a seven-day interval after which they may be capable of name for a strike vote or lockout.

In a information launch, UPEI School Affiliation president Michael Arfken known as Thompson’s actions “unprecedented.”

“When the UPEI School Affiliation filed for conciliation in August, it was with the expectation that Minister Thompson would observe the legislated timelines and steadiness the necessity for presidency intervention in opposition to Islanders’ constitutionally protected proper to withhold their labour as a part of collective bargaining. That clearly did not occur,” the discharge stated.

“Now that Minister Thompson has signaled that he intends to take the unprecedented transfer of appointing a mediator reasonably than allow the events to return to direct bargaining, we encourage the Minister to quickly appoint a talented and neutral mediator who’s dedicated to working with the events throughout the legislated timelines.”