Both parties agree to return to mediation after week-long strike
About 2,000 unionized staff at the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) are back to work as the union signed a mediation agreement with the school.
The agreement indicates that there will be no more job action while the dispute is in mediation. This means that school can begin for about 15,000 SIAST students.
“We’re looking forward to getting this issue settled and turning our full attention back to our first priority — serving students,” says SIAST president and CEO Dr. Bob McCulloch.
The mediator is asking both parties to meet this week and if a deal can’t be reached, he will make recommendations over the weekend.
Pay continues to be the main issue in the dispute. Prior to mediation, SIAST made a final offer of 5.5 per cent over three years, which was rejected by the union.
Members of the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees' Union (SGEU) walked off the job Sept. 6, 2011 after mediation talks failed the night before.
The last contract expired in June 2009.
