The first of several scheduled meetings stretching into October with a conciliator appointed by the Ontario Ministry of Labour is set for September 24 to help advance contract negotiations between the university and its unionized librarians and archivists.
Contract talks have been underway since May to renew Western’s first collective agreement with librarians and archivists, which ended July 1. The 55 members of the collective bargaining unit are represented by the University of Western Ontario Faculty Association (UWOFA).
UWOFA has also announced that a strike vote will be held September 25, immediately following a general meeting with the UWOFA-LA membership at noon. Depending on the outcome of the vote, it may give the union a mandate to pursue a strike in the event that conciliation fails to facilitate a settlement. Vote results are anticipated after the ballot closes September 28.
Conciliation is a process through which either a union or employer can apply to the Ministry of Labour for help in resolving differences between the two parties so they can reach a collective agreement.
The conciliation process is mandatory under provincial law before either party is deemed to be in a legal position to engage in a strike or lock-out. If the process fails, the conciliator issues a “no board” report, after which both parties must wait a minimum of 17 days before undertaking any job action.