CUTTING CLASS
Striking support staff shut CNC on day one of job action
The north wind was blowing a bonechilling -20 C as striking support staff picketed the perimeter of the deserted grounds of the College of New Caledonia on Tuesday.
It was mighty cold outside, but the weather was not the main source of discomfort for 345 CUPE Local 4951 members at six CNC campuses in northern B.C., who walked off the job to protest their dissatisfaction with the B.C. Liberal government, effectively shutting down the college at least until Thursday. Their livelihoods are at stake, and they want action from the people who authorize their paycheques.
“The unfortunate part is they’re saying we’re not worth it.”
— Leanne Yearley
Strike captain Leanne Yearley, a CNC library technician, can’t understand why the province is not offering B.C. college support staff the same two per cent wage increases over each of the next two years that settled labour disputes at several of the province’s universities.
“We’ve been without a collective agreement for almost three years and at the bargaining table for the financial aspect we’re dependent on the province and the unfortunate part is they’re saying we’re not worth it,” said Yearley. “We’re part of this community and all we’re asking is that we be treated with the same respect and integrity as everybody else in this city and province.
“We don’t want our students to suffer, because we care about out students, nor do we want to be out in the cold, so give us what we deserve.”
CUPE support staff at UNBC ratified a four-year contract last week and similar deals were completed at UBC and UVic.
“Because they said, ‘There’s nothing for you,’ that’s why we had to take this action,” said Yearley.
“Are we going to be paying for the universities’ increases? We’re treated like we’re interfering with the students’ education but we’re not, we offer them support and we want the support back. I’m hoping the province will get back to talking at the table and our students are only out for two days, but if we have to go out longer we will.”
Backed by unionized instructional staff who refused to cross picket lines, CUPE support staff also suspended classes Tuesday at the College of the Rockies in Cranbrook, Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo, and North Island College in Port Alberni. On Monday, support staff strikes closed campuses at BCIT and Vancouver Community College. Rotating job actions at Camosun College in Victoria have canceled some classes this week.
CNC staff at the six campuses voted 84 per cent of strike action last week.
To qualify for strike pay, each union member is required to serve four hours of picket line duty for each day of the strike.
One CUPE power engineer remained on the job Tuesday to monitor building operations at the Prince George campus. Private security staff have been hired for the duration of the strike and CNC president John Bowman remained hopeful they will be needed for only two days.
“I think the light at the end of the tunnel comes on Thursday when we hope the strike by our operational employees will come to an end and we look forward to getting back to the bargaining table when we have an improved financial mandate from the provincial government to negotiate,” Bowman said.
“I know work is currently un- derway involving the Minister of Advanced Education, the Minister of Finance and the Public Sector Employers’ Council, so I’m optimistic we will return to the bargaining table soon and hopefully be able to conclude a collective agreement.”
John Yap, the Minister of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology, was not available for comment.
The timing of the strike, just two weeks before final exams and less than a month before all final marks are due, is not good for students, some of whom were in the process of writing entrance exams for admission into other colleges or universities. However, it could have been worse.
“There’s never a good time for a strike, but I know our employees share in those concerns about disrupting the experiences for students, and I think that’s why they’ve chosen this timing, rather than later in the academic semester,” said Bowman.
“Assuming it’s only going to be two days, we will be able to complete the semester on time and hold exams as planned.”
CNC support staff last went on strike in September 1984, a bitter dispute that lasted six weeks. Local 4951 president Lily Bachand is confident the current walkout won’t drag on that long, but she says the province has to realize none of the union locals are prepared to back down.
“It’s all in their ballpark right now,” said Bachand.
“We’re coming to crunch time for the students and I’m sure we’re no different than any other college in this province.
“Maybe the Minister of Advanced Education was wondering how serious we are. Well today, we’re serious, and we’ll be serious tomorrow, and the next day.
“The colleges in this province are standing together and we’re out, and if we’re out as a group, we’ll stay out.”