Students should be considered amidst Yukon U labour dispute, advocate says

One student leader at Yukon University says student voices are now finally being heard as an ongoing labour dispute between the university and the union representing its employees continues.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada, which represents unionized workers at the university, has been negotiating a new collective agreement with the university for more than a year. The Yukon University Employees’ Union voted in January in favour of striking.

Unionized staff could legally strike as early as March 2, with at least 72-hours notice.

David Rojas, the student union representative in the university's senate, said some students are already experiencing uncertainty and stress over what a possible strike could mean for their tuition, graduation and immigration status.

"We strongly encourage both parties to return to the negotiation table and reach a resolution that avoids disruption entirely because the students came to Yukon University to build their futures and protecting that future must remain the top priority for both sides," Rojas said.

"Without students there's no sense to have a university infrastructure, instructors or even authorities."

Rojas got a chance to share those student concerns at a meeting of the university's governing senate this week. The meeting was moved to a bigger room, with extra chairs added to try to accommodate a few dozen observers in attendance.

His presentation was followed by a round of applause.

A senate member told the room they needed more time to grapple with the new information Rojas delivered.

The senate held off on voting on proposed academic disruption plans. Instead, they struck up an ad hoc committee that includes some student union representatives to ensure student perspectives are better reflected in the plans.

Yukon University interim president Shelagh Rowles noted it was a tough item to discuss but the senate found a solution.

Rojas called the meeting a "complete success."

He remains optimistic that the employer and employees' union will return to the bargaining table and reach a deal without a strike.

The equivalent of more than 700 students were enrolled full time at the university, which also had more than 700 staff including unionized and non-unionized workers, according to the university's latest annual report.