UOttawa support staff set to strike today unless deal reached

About 1,300 support staff at the University of Ottawa were set to strike Monday unless a last-minute deal was reached.

A spokesperson for the university said if there was a strike, courses wouldn't be cancelled.

“Our intent is to maintain academic and research activities and our operations,” said spokesperson Patrick Charette.

“That said, students can anticipate delays and potential interruption of service.

“Our focus right now is to make all possible efforts to avoid labour disruption before the deadline tonight,” Charette said Sunday evening.

The president of the provincial union representing the workers said he was “not without hope” that a deal could be reached before the strike deadline at midnight Sunday but he was not optimistic.

Members are ready to set up picket lines Monday afternoon, said Harvey Bischof, present of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation. Picketers will respect public-health guidelines, including limiting gatherings to 25 people and physically distancing, he said.

Bischof said he expected a strike would cause disruptions to university operations, noting that some union members help run labs.

Bargaining ended last week between the university and the bargaining unit, whose members work in administration, help with student academic support and provide mental health counselling.

The major issue in the dispute is the university's proposal to change prescription drug benefits in the contract so members would pay part of the cost, Bischof said.

“This is a very difficult pill to swallow.”

Wages are subject to provincial legislation that limits raises for public-sector employees to one per cent annually.

Members of the local voted 80 per cent against accepting a “final offer” contract the university proposed in June, said Marcelle Desmornes, president of the bargaining unit.

Charette did not respond to a query about the issues remaining to be settled in the dispute.