The union representing the 930 Nova Scotia Community College workers in a legal strike position is asking the province and NSCC to agree to binding arbitration to resolve their contract dispute.
But in making the declaration Thursday evening following a conference call among executive members the union said if that’s not agreed upon — and no deal is reached — the faculty and support staff will walk off the job Tuesday, Oct. 20.
“Everyone wants to avert a strike … (this way) it would be decided by an arbitrator,” union president Alexis Allen said.
“It’s a way to avert a strike so students won’t lose their year or their term.”
The union and NSCC have been bargaining for 16 months, with the most recent talks breaking off last Friday.
Earlier Thursday, Education Minister Marilyn More said the government doesn’t plan to up their offer at the 11th hour to prevent a strike. More also said she’s staying out of the negotiations and hopes the two sides get back to the table and work out a deal.
More noted she won’t try to stop a union strike, if it comes to that. “That’s their right to do that,” More said.
– With files from Paul McLeod
