An application for certifica- tion was made by the UPEI faculty

Prince Edward Island Labour Relations Board. Two hundred and sixty association members voted in favour of starting a union.

Don Gillis, president .of UPEI’s faculty association, told the Canadian Association of University Teachers” (CAUT) = that; “ihe response was incredible, it is clear

leagues in unionized faculty associ- ations across Canada.”

Eighty per cent of Canada’s university faculty associations are unionized. The only other universi- ty in Atlantic Canada where the faculty is not unionized is St. Francis Xavier .

Two main reasons have pushed faculty to vote in favour of certification. The faculty associa- tion and the large majority of its members felt that there is a need to develop a policy on how to handle grievances and that UPEI must catch up to other universities in Canada, Gillis said. ‘

Leo Cheverie, President of the PEI Federation of Labour and Staff Members, supports the mem- bers’ initiative. “UPEI is one of the few universities without a faculty union,” said Cheverie. union which includes all faculty, including sessional [instructors] will ensure that the same rules will apply to everyone and that there are set rules for resolving issues.”

Gillis said money is not an issue with professors at UPEI and it was not a motivation for the appli- cation. He also added that although a union would give the faculty the

walkout any time soon. “I think [the possibility of a strike is] way in the future,” Gillis

association on February 23rd to the -

the time was right to join our col-_

St taink <a

right to strike, there is no fear of a

told CBC. “There’s no thoughts of that at all. I don’t think there’s any reason for it actually.”

Faculty unionizing does bring concern to UPEI Student Union President BJ McCarville, but she is supportive of the initia- tive nonetheless.

“| think it is a really good initiative, McCarville said. “I rec-

ognize that it will create difficulties

in bargaining with the university about budgeting, but | think it is an essential part of our university that our faculty are properly represented and getting the pay they deserve, and the treatment they have merited as faculty.

“I would even say our fac- ulty’s benefits should not be com- promised in the pursuit of lower tuition fees,” she continued. “That is not what we are asking as stu- dents, we are focussing on accessi- bility with proper funding, not at the cost of the faculty which are the life blood of our university.”

Faculty Association Applies for Certification

By Sarah Murphy

The proposed bargaining unit includes Atlantic Veterinary College faculty and UPEI School of Nursing clinical instructors.

The terminal date fixed on

the association’s application is’

March 23th. Under PEI labour law, a vote will be held only if. the

labour relations officer deems it

necessary. Gillis doubts there will be any objection. “Clearly, we feel our majority is significant enough to warrant automatic certification,” he told the CAUT.

The next step for the associ- ation if the application is approved, is to determine priorities for bar- gaining. Committees and working groups will be struck to discuss. items members will want addressed in first contract negotiations. A union could be in place by the first of April.

With files from CBC and CAUT Bulletin .

HIRING

RESTAURANT MANAGER

CAVENDISH AREA June 15 -Labour Day Wage Negotiable

Send resume to: Manager P.O. Box 363 Kensington, PEI

~ COB 1MO0

Deadline: March 31 -

10 The Cadre