The University released this statement today:

The University continues to be prepared to reach a fair and reasonable collective agreement with CUPE 4207 and will work with both the union and a government-appointed mediator this week when negotiations take place on March 8 (Unit 2) and March 11 (Unit 1).

The union has set a strike deadline of 12:01 a.m. on Monday, March 14 if the parties do not reach an agreement.

Last week, CUPE 4207 indicated in news media reports that it will not accept a Brock University Students’ Union (BUSU) recommendation that all outstanding collective bargaining issues between the parties be submitted to binding arbitration.

The University had offered to accept BUSU’s recommendation, and further offered to pay for the arbitrator when the union indicated concern that the arbitration would be “incredibly expensive”.

As negotiations resume this week, the University’s offer of binding arbitration will remain open and we encourage the union to accept this offer rather than initiating a strike that will disrupt the academic term.