A small union created a big traffic jam at Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton University last week.

Thirteen maintenance workers at Cape Breton University went on strike at 8 a.m. Oct. 25, the Halifax Chronicle-Herald reported. The plumbers, electricians, carpenters, maintenance workers and rink attendant are all part of the Nova Scotia government and General Employee Union.  They have set up picket lines at both of the university’s entrances.  

According to the union website, the workers are striking for better wages. They want the 2.9 per cent wage increase per year given to CBU faculty members. The Halifax Chronicle-Herald reported Nov. 1 that a tentative deal had been reached.

Irene Khattar, the manager of communications at CBU, said the university offered to give the strikers a 2.9 per cent raise the first year, a 2 per cent raise the second, and a 1.5 per cent raise in the third year of their contract.  

In October 2009, the university offered the workers a 2.9 per cent wage increase, but the workers turned it down to pursue pension benefits, Khattar said. Khattar said the university could no longer afford to give the workers the raises originally offered.

Because of the strike, the CBU rink has shut down and construction on the environmental and energy sustainability centre has halted because construction workers will not cross the picket line. Canada Post workers have also refused to cross the picket line.

Allison Haley, president of the Cape Breton University Student Association, said the strike has not had a big impact on students.

However, the picket line has caused traffic jams. At one point on Monday, traffic was reported to be over a kilometre long, Khattar said. Khattar said students had been having trouble getting to class on time.

Cape Breton police officers have been stationed at both campus entrances to direct traffic and prevent accidents. There have been two minor accidents: on Oct. 25 a car tried to drive onto university campus, and on Oct. 26 there was a fender bender.

Khattar said CBU respects the workers’ right to go on strike. “As of yet nobody is working overtime.  Nothing out of the ordinary has happened.”

“We’d like to see this [dispute] end as quickly as possible, and the union does as well,” Khattar said.

Union president Joan Jessome was unavailable for comment.