Faculty association files complaints against Medicine Hat College over contract talk tactics

By COLLIN GALLANT on April 8, 2021.

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant

The faculty association at Medicine Hat College has filed labour board complaints stating the institution’s board of governors is attempting to undermine its authority as the two sides discuss a new contract.

The association filed seven complaints stating the employer had improper conversations with its members, was coercive and directed them not to engage the association on employment issues.

That was an “effort to undermine the credibility of the union and the collective bargaining process,” according to the application filed with the Alberta Labour Relations Board on March 22.

No response from the college has been filed, and a date is yet to be set for a hearing on the matter.

The college and association, which represents 260 academic staff members, have been negotiating a new contract to replace one that expired in June 2020.

The college is represented by lawyer Timothy Mitchell of the Calgary firm McLennan Ross. The association’s legal representative is Leanne M. Chahley of Edmonton labour firm Blair Chahley.

8
-7