Strike averted at Brock

School still bargaining with one union

ST. CATHARINES — Brock University has averted a strike after reaching a last- minute agreement with the union representing English as a Second Language workers at t he school.

An agreement between the university and CUPE 4207 was struck just before the midnight Tuesday strike deadline. A provincial mediator had been called in to help broker a settlement. Details of the deal will not be released until the tentative agreement has been ratified.

“Everyone comes to the table wanting to settle,” university spokesman Kevin Cavanagh

We were pushing right up against the midnight deadline.”

Brock University spokesman Kevin Cavanagh said. “Everyone succeeded (Tuesday) night in reaching that agreement.”

CUPE 4207 president Dan Crow said the talks came down to the wire.

“We were pushing right up against the midnight deadline,” he said. “We are happy with the work we have done. As long as we get the language straightened out, then we’ll be OK.”

The two parties spent the day working on the final language for the agreement and hope to have the contract ratified sometime later this week.

Brock is still negotiating with the union that represents 16 stage hands. The two parties will meet again Thursday with a mediator. A strike deadline has been set for 12:01 a.m. Friday.

In 2011, the university negotiated collective agreements with seven unions. Cavanagh said during tough financial times it takes even more work to come to an agreement all parties can live with, he said.

“We have another one coming up this week and we have faith the bargaining process is going to lead everyone to a similar result there as well.”