’Worst case scenario’ in VIU strike

Negotiations between Vancouver Island University and the faculty association have again failed to put an end to a four-week strike, that has left classes canceled for students. After talks broke down Wednesday evening, VIU spokesperson Toni O’Keefe told the Nanaimo Daily News that the administration "see(s) this as the worst-case scenario." O’Keefe also said that "The union keeps introducing new items in the negotiations and reintroducing items that were off the table" and she accused the VIU Faculty Association of "trying to seek control over the university." VIUFA had been requesting that the university commit to language surrounding job security and to put a freeze on the size of the administration. President Dan McDonald said there is no reason that the two sides should not return to the bargaining table. "All we’re asking is that the university freeze the growth of its administration at the same time they are considering laying off my members. That would, in fact, save VIU money," he said. The university has set Monday as the deadline before the semester would have to be extended.