News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The Mount Allison Faculty Association and the Mount Allison University administration will return to the bargaining table on Saturday, Feb. 15, with the assistance of the provincial mediator.

“I am encouraged that both parties have agreed to return to the bargaining table tomorrow with the provincial mediator with the objective to end the dispute,” said Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Jody Carr. “As a government, we respect the collective bargaining process. Our preference has always been that the parties sit down and work together to reach an agreement.”

“Our priority is to protect the students' ability to finish their term with the least amount of disruption possible,” said Carr. “We remain optimistic and hopeful that they will reach an agreement and that students can return to class.”

Since last August the administration and the union have been negotiating a new collective agreement. However, an agreement has not been reached, and the union exercised its right to strike beginning on Jan. 27. In addition to directing the parties back to the table and appointing an outside mediator, the provincial government has provided tools under the Industrial Relations Act - including a conciliation officer and a mediation officer - to reach this goal.

“The success of our province depends on a strong, adaptive and educated workforce,” Carr said. “We recognize that our post-secondary education sector is vital to growing New Brunswick's economy and creating jobs in order to meet the needs of our evolving labour market.”