ULFA members on strike on February 14, 2022. (Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko/LethbridgeNewsNOW

U of L and faculty enter ‘enhanced mediation’ as strike surpasses three weeks

Mar 7, 2022 | 11:07 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Steps are being made to hopefully put an end to the long-standing contract talks between the University of Lethbridge and its educators.

On March 1, lawyer-to-lawyer discussions between the board of governors and the University of Lethbridge Faculty Association (ULFA) began. On Friday, they agreed to undertake an enhanced mediation process.

David Jones is stepping in as a mediator and will meet with both sides in multiple sessions over the coming weeks.

Both the board and ULFA have released statements saying that this will not guarantee that a new collective agreement will be reached but they remain hopeful.

“Should the process not lead to a negotiated settlement, the University and ULFA have agreed to solicit a report and recommendations from the mediator, which could form the basis of a reasonable and fair collective agreement,” reads a statement from the Board.

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The ULFA adds, “Despite ULFA issuing several unconditional invitations to begin negotiations within the strike/lockout, it has been 22 days since the parties last met at the bargaining table. In this mediation process, parties are expected to meaningfully participate with a genuine intent and reasonable effort in trying to come to an agreement.”

Faculty members at the university have been with contracts for 615 days now after the most recent deal expired on June 30, 2020.

They have been asking for better pay and other improved working conditions.

Educators went on strike on Feb. 10, 2022, as negotiations continued to prove to be unfruitful.

READ MORE: University of Lethbridge Faculty on strike

The board has been of the position from the start that they cannot afford the ULFA’s demands. They doubled down on this stance after learning that their funding in the 2022 provincial budget resulted in a loss of $4.8 million for the upcoming year.

READ MORE: In wake of budget cuts, U of L says striking faculty need to make concessions