Blackout in TRU talks

Photo: Contributed

The mediator involved in a wage dispute between Thompson Rivers University and its faculty association has imposed a media blackout on bargaining teams.

The blackout is to “assist negotiations,” according to a short statement from Tom Friedman, president of the TRU Faculty Association.

“As a result, TRUFA will not be making any public announcements or providing any information to the media or the public,” Friedman said.

Members of the faculty association began limited work-to-rule job action last week, limiting communications between them and university administration.

The association issued 72-hour strike notice on Jan. 11, although it was made clear at the time job action would not yet impact students.

The current collective agreement for TRU faculty members expired in March 2014. The two sides have been in negotiations since February 2015.

The TRU Faculty Association represents 650 instructors, researchers, librarians, counsellors, educational co-ordinators and learning specialists in Kamloops and Williams Lake.

According to a posting on the university's website last week, TRU was offering the union a 5.5 per cent wage increase over the length of a five-year contract.

The union was apparently seeking wage increases of 45.9 per cent. It has not specified a contract length.