University and faculty agree to mediation

By Al Beeber - Lethbridge Herald on March 8, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com

The University of Lethbridge says the school and its striking faculty association have agreed to a second round of mediation.
In a posting on its bargaining page, the university said both parties have agreed to engage the assistance of a mediator “to settle terms of a future collective agreement.”
That mediator is David Jones, an Edmonton-based lawyer who is a chartered arbitrator and the Conflict of Interest Commissioner for Yukon and the Northwest Territories. His practice includes commercial and labour arbitration and point of law litigation.
The university says both sides will meet with Jones for multiple sessions of enhanced mediation in coming weeks “which we hope will lead to a negotiated resolution to this dispute.”
The U of L statement added if there is no negotiated settlement by this process both sides have agreed to solicit a report and recommendations from the mediator which could form the basis for a collective agreement.
“The university remains committed to settling an agreement that respects the value of our faculty, honours our responsibilities to students and projects the university’s fundamental need for financial stability and long-term sustainability,” said the statement.
The faculty association has been on strike since Feb. 11.

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