Dalhousie support staff prep for possible strike
Posted Mar 9, 2012 03:25:17 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Paws off our pension.
That’s the message from administration, IT, and library services staff at Dalhousie University who attended an information session today in preparation for a possible strike.
Dozens of NSGEU members took to the streets around Robie and University at noon Friday to show the university they mean business.
NSGEU president Joan Jessome tells News 95.7 the university is looking for control over the pensions.
She adds members of NSGEU Local 77 haven’t picked up a picket sign in 20 years.
“They’re serious and I think the employer needs to take this as a serious gesture, that we want to get a deal that we can bring back to the members in good faith,” explains Jessome.
Dawn Ferris is the second VP with NSGEU and is part of the administration support staff with Dalhousie.
She says the pension issue is an important issue for students.
“For students going through university expecting to go out in the workforce, we need to protect the pensions and the benefits that will affect them,” she says. “There’s huge erosion going on right now in the workforce, and we want to protect what are potentially their future careers.”
News 95.7 asked Dalhousie whether they would cross picket lines to get to libraries and IT centres.
“Sure, I wouldn’t have a problem going to the library and so forth,” says Brian.
“I don’t have any problems crossing the lines, I do need to use the library,” explains Emily. “I am happy to have a conversation with anyone on the picket line and I would be respectful of them.”
“I honestly don’t know at this point,” admits Spencer. “I’d be inclined to respect them [picket lines] but I don’t really know how this whole thing is going to play out right now.”
If deals aren’t reached, faculty could go on strike Monday and support staff could go on strike March 22nd.
