TRU Faculty Association vote results

Feb 12, 2016 | 10:51 AM

KAMLOOPS —  TRU’s faculty association has voted overwhelmingly to ratify a deal with the school’s administration, put forward by a mediator.

91 per cent of 459 faculty members who voted, said yes to the deal.

TRUFA President Tom Friedman says under normal circumstances, such an overwhelming majority in favour would mean enthusiastic support of the deal.

But Friedman says in this case, it’s bittersweet. Listen to his comments below. 

The deal includes the 5.5 per cent wage increase over five years put forward by the university.

But Mediator Mark Brown recommended nine percent of that money be put toward sessional contract faculty, something Friedman says is a positive.

It’s now up to the university’s Board of Governors to indicate if it supports the deal.

Vice President of Advancement Christopher Seguin says he doesn’t speak on behalf of the board, but administration is positive about today’s announcement from the faculty. Listen to his comments below.

Seguin adds this is a potential settlement that took a lot of work to achieve, and everyone involved deserves credit for coming together.

But Friedman says the labour relations climate at the university has been damaged, and both the school and faculty should make it their number one priority to repair it.