The UNBC Faculty Association(UNBCFA) is calling President Daniel Weeks decision to relieve five faculty members in 18 moths an “unacceptable approach to labour relations.”
Weeks used an emergency power provision, which allows him to relieve any employee while an investigation is ongoing or if there is reason to believe harm may be done by that person. This is part of the UNBCFA collective agreement.
Associate VP for People, Organization and Risk Barb Daigle says this was a provision the faculty agreed to and it’s the presidents responsibility to use that power if necessary.
“This was a provision the faculty association agreed to and whether or not they agree that the circumstances warrant this action, they have access to do processes like grievances and arbitrations to contest that.”
A letter written by UNBCFA’s President Stephen Rader, addressed to the Board of Governors, states. “There is substantial jurisprudence on the issue of what constitutes such threat of harm, and none of our cases meets the bar in our view.”
“Never in UNBC’s history have relations with the employer been so bad as to require a direct appeal to the Board of Governess.”
The letter asked both Tracey Wolsey, Chair of UNBC Board of Governors, and Advanced Education Minister Melanie Mark. There has been no word yet if either have responded.
No specific reason was given into why the five members were relieved of their duty.
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