July 6 strike update: Getting all employees back to work
Since the start of the strike, the University has been focused on two things: (1) ensuring all students are back in class; and (2) getting all employees back to work. Students are now back in class, but MoveUP employees remain on strike. We remain as committed as ever to resolving the strike. We know the strike is impacting those who are still taking part in it—personally, emotionally and financially. We know it is challenging. However, please know that CapU cares deeply about the health and well-being of all our employees.
The University has provided the union leadership with another response to the union’s request for a return-to-work protocol. The response includes a deadline for acceptance in an effort to communicate to the union leadership our continued desire to end the strike. Our proposal protects those returning from the strike and goes above the labour code and ethical standards.
The union is proposing language that offers blanket protection against possible discipline for employees whose conduct during the strike was unlawful. This would go against our values, the standards we hold ourselves to and the community we’ve built together.
To be clear, the University supports employees’ legal right to strike and would never consider disciplining employees for simply exercising that right or expressing opinions about the strike. For those employees who have conducted themselves lawfully, the language we’ve proposed provides further protection from any corrective action related to the strike.
University communications standards
Communications from the University are guided by standards in the B.C. Labour Code. In accordance with the code, as well as legal requirements, statements by the University related to the strike must be accurate and reasonably complete.
Submitted by: Communications