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VIU support workers vote in favour of job action

NANAIMO - Job action could disrupt classes at Vancouver Island University as early as next week.

Job action could disrupt classes at Vancouver Island University as early as next week.

Support staff at the institution held a strike vote Tuesday that came out 86 per cent in favour of whatever action is necessary to achieve a settlement, said Ian McLean, B.C. colleges coordinator for the Canadian Union of Public Employees.

“They were voting to have a strike action if necessary,” he said.

“If we end up going down that path, it would likely be a withdrawal of our services. It certainly wouldn’t be this week, we haven’t even served notice.”

About 260 CUPE workers at the university have been without a contract for more than two years. The union blames stalled talks with the province for prompting this action.

McLean said the union will work hard to reach a deal first before serving 72-hour strike notice.

“We will see where we are at this weekend,” he said. “It may end up in mediation.”

McLean said VIU support workers are not in this situation alone. Support staff at the College of the Rockies and Vancouver Community College held similar strike votes last week and VCC support workers have implemented an overtime ban and staged a one-day strike on Tuesday.