The University of Northern British Columbia's Faculty Association (UNBCFA) had some support from across the country on their picket lines today, including Saskatchewan and Ontario.
Members of The Flying Pickets of the Canadian Association of University Teachers Defence Fund appeared in front of the Prince George Campus of UNBC with faculty members who have been on strike since Nov. 7.
"Your university has signalled they don't care about workers," Patricia Farnese, a University of Saskatchewan Faculty Member said to the crowds.
"I have talked to your board of Governor's members, representatives and faculty representatives and we spoke to them about what happened at the University of Saskatchewan. This university becomes where all of you work and clearly your administration, doesn't care about workers."
UNBC provided an update earlier this afternoon (Nov. 15), saying the UNBCFA tabled three proposals earlier this week which they countered on Wednesday night (Nov. 13).
The faculty association would come back again the next morning (Nov. 14) with another offer which they mulled over before UNBC providing another offer of their own this morning.
"This week’s work resulted in the Employer tabling a proposal this morning, which is a sincere effort to maximize compensation increases for all faculty including SLIs and Librarians, within a competitive compensation structure," a statement reads.
"It is vital that we recruit and retain outstanding faculty, and ensure we turn our attention to addressing the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for UNBC."
There still has been no deal reached between @UNBCFA and @UNBC. University says the FA presented three very different proposals earlier this week and UNBC offered one on Wed. Thurs morning, FA offered another and UNBC says the offered another earlier today #unbcfa #unbc #cityofpg pic.twitter.com/kVuO6d4N21
— jess fedigan (@jj_fedigan) November 15, 2019
Farnese added those in positions at the top need to be able to accept and work on change with all of those involved at the bargaining table and the faculty associations.
"If there is going to be change, change has to come from the top level in a sense," she added. "It may be time to get new administration. It's unfair that you guys are on strike within three years. We'll be here like everyone else said, every week if you need us. We feel your pain. We're in solidarity with you."
The main sticking point between the university and the UNBCFA is salaries, with professors also fighting for librarians and SLIs while drawing comparisons to other universities across the country's salaries.
"This is not just about UNBC," Rader said. "This is about faculty across the entire country. Everybody is looking at us today to see whether we are able to restore our rights as workers to help control and run our university."
The UNBCFA offcially began striking on Nov. 7 after last-minute negotiations failed and a rally being held the day before and a back and forth ensuing since.
