University of Alberta and AASUA commence formal mediation

Formal mediation between the university and AASUA begins this week. Meetings are scheduled for September 4 and 5 with additional dates scheduled for October 21 and 22. The university looks forward to continuing the conversation and is hopeful that formal mediation will result in a successful renewal agreement, as it did in the last round of negotiations with AASUA.

The university applied for formal mediation on May 16 to encourage negotiations to continue after informal mediation concluded in March. There are several possible outcomes of formal mediation:

• A tentative agreement can be reached either through negotiations at the table or the mediator can issue a recommendation for settlement. This then goes to a ratification by the employer and the union members.
• If the parties have engaged in formal mediation and one or both decide that no further progress is possible, they may decide to take further steps that may lead to a work stoppage (strike or lockout). A 14-day cooling-off period following the end of mediation precedes any strike or lockout vote.
• If the mediation does not resolve all the issues the parties can continue negotiations either with or without the assistance of a mediator.

Formal mediation is a common part of the collective bargaining process and has no impact on student life or experience. Learning, research and university operations and services continue uninterrupted during mediation.

For more information on formal mediation, work stoppages, and the bargaining process visit the Bargaining FAQ page.