(AUDIO) Classes resume Monday at Nipissing University

A tentative deal has been reached between Nipissing University and the Nipissing University Faculty Association, ending a nearly four week strike at the post-secondary school.

Classes are set to resume on Monday.

University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mike DeGagne says the exploratory talks that took place Wednesday with the faculty and provincially-appointed mediator really kicked started the process that led to the deal.

The agreement is subject to ratification by the faculty and the University’s Board of Governors.

DeGagne says the Board of Governors will vote tomorrow (Friday) while the faculty are expected to hold a ratification vote on Sunday.

Further details on the contract will be made public once these votes have taken place.

The strike began November 2nd.

Meantime, the Nipissing University Student Union is happy the strike has come to an end, but officials say there has been an impact on the students.

NUSU President Ian Hall explains.

NUSU, meantime, will be working to draft and implement academic relief measures to help minimize damage to students.

Pointing to precedent being set after the York University strike, Hall says it could include providing alternatives to exams, pro-rating classes or honourably withdrawing from courses at later dates.

He says it’s very tentative at this point.
 

The North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce is welcoming the end of the strike at Nipissing University.

President Jake Lacourse says any kind of labour strife causes uncertainty in the economy so they’re happy to see common ground being found.

Lacourse also says they’re hopeful the two sides in the ONTC lockout will be able to find common ground and come together to settle the labour dispute there.

Meantime, the union representing locked out workers at the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission is calling for an arbitrator to be appointed.

Unifor is accusing the government of taking an all or nothing approach to contract talks.

Nearly 200 train and bus mechanics were locked out nearly two weeks ago.

Unifor says an arbitrator was able to settle a contract dispute between Nipissing University and its faculty association.

The union says it’s confident arbitration could settle the dispute at Ontario Northland.

MPP Vic Fedeli issued a statement after the agreement at Nipissing was announced.

“News of a tentative agreement between Nipissing University and its faculty aimed at ending the nearly four-week strike is indeed welcome, and is a relief to students, parents and the community at large. I want to thank so many members in our community for their persistent and vocal efforts to push for a negotiated settlement to this dispute. While this deal still needs to be ratified, I’m encouraged by the prospect of students being able to return to class soon. I will continue to press the provincial government on the need for labour peace at Ontario Northland, and proper ongoing funding support for North Bay Regional Health Centre.”