Hansard, November 1, 2011 

Brandon University

Strike Mediation Timeline

Mr. Reg Helwer (Brandon West): Mr. Speaker, while I appreciate the minister’s attempt to educate the House on labour law last week, the students at Brandon University continue to suffer through a strike that is now entering its fourth week. I am receiving calls and emails from students, parents, faculty and Brandon University board members. They are all frustrated by the lack of progress.

      Mr. Speaker, since mediation talks have now broken down, does this government have a plan? Can they tell us what it is?

Hon. Jennifer Howard (Minister of Labour and Immigration): I want to thank the honourable member for that question.

      Of course, the strike at Brandon University–inconveniencing and frustrating for students. I know that students are very concerned about their future and their education. That’s why, when the strike commenced, conciliation began working with provincially appointed conciliator. After conciliation concluded there was a request for mediation. We moved immediately to appoint that mediator.

      I’m informed by the mediator that the mediator continues to meet with and talk to the parties. And actually, Mr. Speaker, it’s the mediator who decides when mediation is concluded, not the honourable member across the way.

Mr. Helwer: Well, the mediation process was discussed from the faculty, Mr. Speaker.

      Students at Brandon University now, who have received scholarships and bursaries have to maintain a certain grade point and average in order to qualify for that support. Having missed three weeks of classes, it’s almost impossible for those students to maintain that average. They’ll have to take out student loans to repay those scholarships and have to live with that increased debt due to this government.

      For the sake of the students, will the minister ask the faculty to return to work during the next step of negotiations?

Ms. Howard: What I don’t think is probably constructive to coming to a conclusion and coming to an agreement in this case is for us to speculate on hypotheticals.

      I believe that the university will be responsible, will exercise its responsibilities to the students, and everything will be done upon the conclusion of this strike to make sure that students can get the benefit of their education.

      Right now that dispute is in mediation. The mediator continues to meet with the parties, continues to look for a solution. I believe the most constructive things we can do as legislators for the students and for their future education is to allow that mediation process to continue without interference from us. Thank you.

Mr. Helwer: Mr. Speaker, psychiatric nursing students enrolled in Brandon University finish their term in mid-November, two weeks from now. How likely are they to graduate if they cannot finish their term?

      How can this government stand up in this House and brag about their plans to hire nurses when one of their institutions may not even be able to graduate them? Is this the government–is this government now able to take the next step and offer binding arbitration, then ask the faculty, return to teaching?

Ms. Howard: I think, as I responded last week to this question, both parties are aware that binding arbitration is an option. We’d be pleased to assist the parties in helping to find an arbitrator to engage in that process. I think arbitration can be a very helpful process in situations like this. Right now, mediation continues. I believe that’s the most constructive path, not to spread fear among the students.

      I will tell you, Mr. Speaker, I think, as the Minister of Health (Ms. Oswald) just outlined, our commitment to nurses is, when we commit to nurses we commit to paying them fully, not paying them halfway, the way the members across did in this past election.