By James Peters

TRU Faculty Association issues 72-hour strike notice

Jan 11, 2016 | 7:48 AM

KAMLOOPS — The faculty association for Thompson Rivers University has issued 72-hour strike notice, meaning students could be out of the classroom as early as Thursday.

TRU has issued a news release stating that TRUFA has accepted mediation. Vice-President of Administration and Finance Matt Milovick says he hopes mediation can begin before TRUFA members take job action.

TRUFA says it has been at the barganing table with school administration for 11 months, and has made very little progress on key issues. 

WATCH ABOVE: Full report from Reporter Chad Klassen

Boogie The Bridge

Boogie The Bridge Event Information

11h ago

Two and Out

PETERS: The Loop's eviction will show us what happens when a bandage is ripped off a gaping wound

9h ago

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: 'Fairness' is not a word I would use to describe the federal budget

15h ago

In a news release, TRUFA President Tom Friedman says, “Unfortunately, the employer remains unwilling to acknowledge or address the issues that faculty have maintained are critical. Before Christmas, the union submitted a bargaining package that included significant concessions from our original positions, but we have not seen any real movement from the employer.”

Membership, consisting of 650 members between the Kamloops and WIlliams Lake campuses, gave its bargaining committee an 80 per cent strike mandate in a November vote.

The union wants to see more full-time professors added, saying the numbers have dropped from 425 to 400 since 2006 with more sessional and contract positions. On the other side, TRUFA argues the number of administrative positions have increased by 183 per cent during that time. 

TRU responded today by saying it spends the most money in the classroom relative to any teaching institution in B.C. 

Meantime, TRUFA says there’s no guarantee faculty will walk off the job on Thursday, but both sides are preparing for the worst.

TRU Frequently asked questions: Click here

TRUFA Frequently asked questions: Click here