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by Daliah Merzaban The Ubyssey

Note: “This past Monday” in copy refers to January 31

VANCOUVER (CUP) - After more than a year of negotiations and a one-day strike this past Monday, support staff at British major universities have reached a

Columbia’s four contract agreement with their administrations.

Canadian Unionof Public Employees (CUPE) support staff locals at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Simon Fraser University, the University of Victoria and the University of Northern British Columbia went on strike on Monday, slowing down traffic and disrupting

respective

classes.

But although the strike was short its impact was significant.

John Geppert, president of CUPE Local 116, one of UBC’s two support staff locals, believes Monday’s escalated job pressured the universities to expedite a settlement. He explained that until a full strike was declared at midnight on Sunday, the negotiations faced an impasse.

The half-day of job action ended when support staff formally agreed to a settlement at the BC Labour,Relations Board. A

action

special mediator had been appointed two weeks ago to help seven BC locals resolve provincial issues of

“Tm extremely happy that we’ve finally put some closure to this. There were compromises made, but it’s a satisfactory settlement,” said Geppert.

Local 2278, UBC’s teaching assistants’ union, was also in negotiations on Monday, and managed to achieve salary protection and a meaningful benefits package.

All

contracts

wages and benefits con - negotiated, with the rrently. universities must still “I think b e a fact We wamt to let ratified that we rc " vee MELLEL sets vis TELA ee ‘heunion Oo. wea : and the See CTL AAT LES Public ri t ee Fe Rot midnight Council. told the Nathan Allen universities UBC’ s to try to Associate come to Director

a collective agreement,” said Geppert.

He explained that after 27 straight hours of bargaining, the CUPE locals and the universities were able satisfactory agreement on wages and benefits.

Geppert cited increased gender equity funding for all employee positions as one of the benefits of the agreement. He also named a deal that would give universities provincial funding to purchase bulk benefits at a reduced cost as one of the key achievements.

CUPE was trying to supplement strict government wage increase guidelines with value-added benefits.

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of Public Affairs Paula Martin said the University

is satisfied with the agreement.

“We're pleased that it was with minimal

disruption to the students of the campus and other employees on campus,” she said.

UBC - students coming to school by bus were dropped off far before picket-lines - located at 17 entrances to campus - forcing them to walk long distances to get to their early morning classes. Blockades also backed up traffic, leading some drivers to force their way into the picketing crowd.

Be UBC’s

strike, policy,:, professors

ATA

must respect the right of students not to cross picket lines.

Martin, however, said that the majority of students crossed the lines anyway. “We've only heard ofa handful of classes [that] were not available to students,” she said.

UBC campus facilities run by CUPE workers saw reduced hours, but did not close down. At Totem Park, Place Vanier, the Bookstore and the libraries, managers took over for the striking workers.

But many students did stay home, and others could be found on the picket lines as they picketed

-on the corner of University Boulevard and Wesbrook Mall.

“We want to let the university know that this strike concerns us all,” said Nathan Allen, a Student for Fair Treatment member and the Alma Mater Society (AMS) co-ordinator of external affairs.

The AMS had previously established an advocacy office to ensure the university strike policy is upheld.

Many faculty members also respected picket Charles Menzies, a professor in the department of Anthropology and Sociology, emphasised the importance of supporting picket lines on campus.

He said__ the underlying issues of pay equity and employment equity affect workers at all levels of the university, and have a direct bearing on

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