The Brandon University Strike

This morning I was in Brandon to meet with faculty at the Brandon University who are on strike.  The strike is now in its 22nd day.  This is far too long.  It is severely impacting students.  It is also having an impact on Brandon University's reputation.  It is past time for the strike to come to an end, and yet the provincial NDP government has been slow to act to ensure a timely and fair resolution to the dispute so that students can complete their courses.   I hope both sides will reach an agreement soon.   But if provincial action were to need legislation, it will now be more difficult because the session ended yesterday, and the legislature would have to be recalled.

[Note added Nov 11: We are now in the 31st day of the strike. It has gone on too long.  Students are being severely affected.  Mediator Michael Werier has recommended binding arbitration, but under current legislation that may not happen for another 29 days.  Legislation to mandate that binding arbitration happen immediately could be introduced but would require a recall of the legislature.  Since students can be so affected by a strike, caught in the middle, it would seem logical to change the legislation as it applies to post-secondary education institutions to proceed more quickly to binding arbitration so that students do not lose out so badly in instances like this.  I value input from people on this - email me at jon.gerrard@leg.gov.mb.ca ]