As minister of post-secondary education, training and labour, today I am wearing my labour hat. I would like to begin by thanking everyone for being here today.
Since May of last year, the University of New Brunswick and the Association of University of New Brunswick Teachers have been negotiating for the renewal of their collective agreement.
The union exercised its right to strike beginning Jan. 13, followed by a lockout from the university administration on Jan. 14.
Now entering its third week, everyone recognizes this dispute is increasingly affecting students, parents and families, the university community and the entire province. Students, parents and many others, are frustrated, concerned and feel their education is in jeopardy.
As a government, we recognize the increasing urgency of the situation.
As Premier David Alward has said, our priority as a government is to see students finish their term with the least amount of disruption possible. This is why Premier Alward and I, as minister responsible for labour, have consistently encouraged both parties to make every effort to resolve this dispute as quickly as possible with minimal impact on students.
This past Friday, I met with the UNB Student Council President, Ben Whitney, and the New Brunswick Student Alliance executive director, Patrick Joyce.
As you know, students make significant sacrifices, financially and personally, to pursue a higher education.
I know many students are faced with not only personal, but also financial concerns and are worried about employment opportunities, leases on apartments and their ability to graduate. Let me be clear when I say this – so is your government.
At the same time, let me also be clear when I say our government respects the collective bargaining process.
We continue to encourage both sides to find resolution within the statutory provisions of the Industrial Relations Act. To date, we have provided both parties with the necessary tools under the act – including a conciliation officer and a mediation officer – to help them reach an agreement.
Our preference is that an agreement can be reached by both parties working together at the bargaining table.
However, after eight months, a new collective agreement has not been reached, and after starting the third week of the strike, neither side has formally returned to the bargaining table. While both parties have indicated from the first day of the strike their desire to return to the bargaining table, it has not yet happened.
That is why today I am announcing, under the Industrial Relations Act, the provincial government is directing both parties back to the bargaining table and appointing Brian Keller, a long-serving Canadian expert in labour relations, as a special outside mediator.
Mr. Keller will meet with both parties this Wednesday, Jan 29, and Thursday Jan. 30. He comes to the dispute with the endorsement of the two parties, having been selected from a list of four candidates they jointly proposed.
This appointment obliges the parties to return to the table, and it underscores a new level of urgency to the process. This intervention demonstrates that the provincial government is actively trying to help the parties without interfering in, and respecting, the collective bargaining process.
Mr. Keller is an expert in labour law, having practised in the field since 1972. He has been active as a mediator and arbitrator since 1987. He has served as vice-chair of the Canada Labour Relations Board as well as vice-chair of the Ontario Labour Relations Board and the Grievance Settlement Board.
His files in dispute resolution are diverse and have included, but are not limited to, Air Canada, Canada Post, the railways, school boards, universities, community colleges, hospitals and municipalities.
The appointment of Mr. Keller as a special mediator is being funded by the provincial government to give the parties another chance of reaching an agreement at the bargaining table.
The standard conditions upon which the special outside mediator will engage both parties include a media blackout and collaboration with the government appointed mediator.
My colleagues and I continue to monitor the labour situation closely and will provide the necessary assistance for resolution as required for balancing our respect for the collective bargaining process and the need to protect our students.
Our province's success depends on a strong, responsive and educated workforce. Our government recognizes that our post-secondary education sector is an essential building block to growing New Brunswick's economy, creating jobs and responding to the evolving needs of our labour market.
Thank you.