Alward government may intervene in UNB strike next week
Source: Web - http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/alward-government-may-intervene-in-unb-strike-next-week-1.2509548
Date: January 24, 2014
As a student myself, I find the strike that is occurring at UNB of great interest! For this reason, I chose this article for my first business reflection.
This article is about how the students are feeling and being affected by the strike at UNB that is already into its third week! Not only are students losing $48 a day of tuition, but many students are worried that they will not graduate on time; students are trying to find potential employers but cannot say whether or not they will be able to take the job. The students feel as though they are pawns and are being used as bargaining chips despite the fact that professors are claiming they have the students best interests in mind.
Personally, I do not understand how these professors can say they have the students in mind when all they are trying to do is up their salaries. The brutal truth is that the professors really are using the students as pawns! They wait until school just starts up again, right after tuition is due, to go on strike. Now students are losing money and their future plans are in jeopardy; this only increases the urgency to come to an agreement, working in the professors favor.
If the professors really had the students best interests at heart, then they would have waited a few months for the summer break so no students would lose money or lose out on class time. However, if they waited until school was finished, then they would not have the urgency factor working for them and they may not get an agreement that is as beneficial to them.
The university is offering 9.5% increase over 4 years which should be a very generous offer; however, the professors simply try to get more and more. It seems to me that the professors do not want to negotiate; they do not want to compromise. They want 23% and it seems as though they will go no lower. They wish to be paid the same as other universities of the same size in Canada; however, what they are not taking into consideration is that the cost of living in other parts of Canada is much higher then they are in the Maritimes. A professor in Vancouver, for example, has to be paid more than a professor in Fredericton because their house alone is much more expensive not to mention all the other necessities for living!
The students have been protesting, as they are the ones being affected the most by this strike, and are asking for the government to intervene. As this article states, the student union would be happy if the parties would at least get back to negotiating. If the parties are not even at the table negotiating then how is an agreement ever going to be made?
In the end, students have lost enough money already and their stress levels are high. UNB's main purpose is for the students; it may just be necessary for the government to intervene if UNB is going to continue to be so.
To follow up: On Monday January 27, the government did intervene and ordered the parties back to the negotiating table! Here is the article for further reading: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/education/new-brunswick-picks-mediator-to-settle-unb-strike/article16525173/
Well said, Christie. Although, I cannot imagine it is easy for either party. I am sure you would find a number of faculty members that were happy with how everything was. And probably had the students in their best interest. The world is full of competition, and in hindsight the union is there to not back down but stand up and compete. I guess fair is fair when they finally come to an agreement, that's pretty much how it goes. It will be interesting to watch this unfold. Thank goodness were at NBCC! Keep us posted.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful reflection Christie, i find myself agreeing with your opinion. The professors in my opinion should have went on strike directly following exams in December. This would have avoided the loss of money that the students are going through. That would have been allot easier on the students, it would sting less. Now the students are not getting the service they are paying for and this is not just. U.N.B. should reimburse the students for this inconvenience.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading this reflection Christie, it gave me some actuals facts to go with my media knowledge about the strike. I feel quite strongly about this topic, as I know many people who are attending UNB and this puts a big halt of their learning. I believe the teachers are selfish and should get back to work ASAP. They have not had a problem with salary thus far, why now? Students should be returned tuition if already paid. I am awaiting the news of how this strike will pan out, and how it will affect students.
ReplyDeletewow I had only the smallest idea of what was going on but I didn't even have to open the link, just from your reflection alone I feel like I know exactly what is going on. After reading this I definitely do think that the professors are using the students as pawns, cause I know from personal experience (as I'm sure you all do as well) when I miss a few days of school due to certain issues, I feel so lost and its hard to get on track again, yet these students have gone into their 3rd week now. I am glad to hear that they have at least gone back to negotiating.
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