The Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) and CUPE 1281, the union representing student workers, are at the bargaining table in efforts of drafting a new collective agreement, according to CUSA president Obed Okyere.
CUPE 1281 represents 120 part-time employees, Okyere said, who work at Oliver’s Pub, Rooster’s, and other CUSA businesses and service centres.
The union’s contract with CUSA expired earlier this year, said CUSA vice-president (finance) Karim Khamisa.
CUPE representative Kandace Price said she wouldn’t comment directly as to whether or not the union is considering to file for conciliation with the Ontario Ministry of Labour.
Filing for conciliation requires full union ratification, she said. Conciliation would involve the ministry looking into CUSA’s finances on behalf of the union and attempting to facilitate further discussion.
Price said she did not want to misrepresent the wishes of the union while the matter was still under review.
“[CUSA remains] optimistic that an agreement can be reached without having to involve the Ontario Ministry of Labour that will be beneficial for both parties,” Okyere said.