AUPE applies for arbitration after talks with NorQuest College reach impasse
EDMONTON – The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees will apply today for binding arbitration to reach a collective agreement with NorQuest College.
The Edmonton post-secondary institution has an unfortunate track record of difficult negotiations stemming from an unco-operative attitude, and the current round of bargaining has been no different, said AUPE Staff Negotiator Jim Petrie.
“Sadly, this employer treats its employees with disrespect, and our members’ frustration with this attitude is very high,” said Petrie.
AUPE Local 071/010, which represents approximately 300 employees of the college, has been trying without success to reach an agreement since last spring.
However, the employer refused to compromise or move from its unreasonable positions in collective bargaining in June and July, said Petrie.
The union and employer jointly applied for the services of a provincially appointed mediator in August to help move the parties toward an agreement, but several days of mediation in August and September also failed to result in an agreement.
“At this point, we have reached a complete impasse,” said Petrie, who leads the Local 071/010 Bargaining Committee. “Since this group of working people cannot legally strike under Alberta legislation, we see compulsory arbitration as our only choice for reaching an agreement with this employer.”
“It is a sad commentary on this employer’s attitude that we have been unable to reach an agreement in collective bargaining and mediation,” said Petrie. “Our members entered negotiations optimistic that this time we could reach a reasonable agreement quickly, and we find this outcome extremely disappointing.”
Key issues include pay – the employer is proposing that employees receive no pay increase – as well as the failure of the employer to abide by the existing contract when abolishing positions and changing employees’ job descriptions.
Petrie said members of AUPE Local 071/010 will be kept up to date on the arbitration process, which can be time consuming, through AUPE’s Website and in the workplace.
Members of Local 071/010 may also contact their Bargaining Committee members for more information.
Bargaining Committee
Leslie Marquardt
780-644-6381
Melinda Champaign-Johnson
780-644-6702
Ellen Pollard
780-644-6503
Jim Petrie
780-930-3335
j.petrie@aupe.org