The ongoing labour dispute between Capilano University and its non-faculty staff has escalated into the union withdrawing a section of its IT staff and picketing during a major event on campus.
Seven IT workers who have had their work struck picketed on campus on Tuesday evening as the university was holding its annual Discover Cap event — typically used for prospective students to decide whether they will register.
Of the 1,000 invitees, only about 200 crossed the picket line to speak with deans and management.
“It certainly was an enormous disappointment for me,” said Rick Gale, Capilano University’s academic vice-president. “This is going to be a problem for the academic side of the house. I’m worried this will result in fewer registrations in the fall. Fewer registrations would mean that courses would be cancelled and it’s a possibility that people would no longer have their jobs.”
COPE negotiator Karen Rockwell said the IT workers received an outpouring of support from the people who showed up for the event and that she hopes it would motivate the administration to come back to the table prepared to bargain for a fair arrangement.
The two sides are separated on benefits. The university has offered 50 per cent coverage for non-pharmacare formulary drugs in exchange for reducing overtime pay and adjusting the discounted parking rates staff get. The union is asking for 80 per cent coverage, noting that the administration and faculty both get 100 per cent coverage.
There are no mediation sessions scheduled though the two sides are also poised to meet at the Labour Relations Board next week, after COPE says the administration brought in replacement workers for an IT project.
