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While Carleton University has grown from 20,000 students in 2007 to more than 30,000 students today, the number of Campus Safety workers has not increased to match this growth in need.
Ottawa (11 Mar. 2014) - Campus Safety workers at Ottawa’s Carleton University, members of the Ontario Public Services Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE), are on strike as of 12:01 Monday morning, March 10, 2014.
"Our members are deeply disappointed that we were not able to reach an agreement with Carleton University," said OPSEU Negotiator, Nelson Ross Laguna.
"Nobody wants a strike," said Ross Laguna, "but we will do what it takes to ensure the employer comes back to the table ready to negotiate a fair agreement with their Campus Safety workers."
Taking a stand to ensure campus safety
Key issues leading to the impasse were job security and lack of sufficient staffing to ensure campus safety.
While Carleton University has grown from 20,000 students in 2007 to more than 30,000 students today, the number of Campus Safety workers has not increased to match this growth in need.
Campus solidarity
OPSEU/NUPGE Local 404 shares the March 10 strike deadline with Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 4600, and the two unions will continue to support each other until fair contracts are reached with Carleton University. CUPE 4600 represents Carleton teaching assistants and contract instructors.
There are 50 Carleton University Safety Workers including special constables, dispatchers, campus safety officers and student safety patrollers.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE