MacEwan University and Grant MacEwan University Faculty Association (GMUFA) bargaining teams are meeting for a fifth day of informal mediation on May 15.

At the end of day five of informal mediation, several outcomes are possible:

  • The parties reach a tentative agreement, which then goes to ratification by both MacEwan and the GMUFA members.
  • The mediation does not resolve all the issues, and the parties continue negotiations either with or without the assistance of a mediator.
  • One or both of the bargaining parties declare an impasse in negotiations and request formal mediation, where the parties then work with a government-appointed mediator. 

Before formal mediation can begin, MacEwan and the GMUFA must have negotiated an essential services agreement and have the agreement accepted for filing by the Alberta Labour Relations Board.

What is an essential services agreement?

An essential services agreement (ESA) defines which services will continue during a strike or lockout (work stoppage). These services are deemed “essential” because their interruption would endanger the life, personal safety or health of the public or are necessary to maintain and administer the rule of law and public security.

MacEwan and the GMUFA have discussed an essential services agreement, and these negotiations are still underway.

Does this apply to MSU?

MacEwan and the MacEwan Staff Union (MSU) bargaining teams are still in negotiations, and both parties have expressed an interest in continuing to bargain with the hope of reaching a mutually agreeable resolution in the near future. MacEwan has submitted various proposals to the Public Bargaining and Compensation Office (PBCO) for review and is waiting for their response. 

Learn more about collective bargaining by visiting MacEwan.ca/CollectiveBargaining.

From Human Resources