UNB teachers' association calls a strike vote

The Association of University of New Brunswick Teachers is calling a strike vote.

The group says its collective bargaining council voted unanimously late Monday afternoonto authorize the executive to call the vote.

President Miriam Jones emphasizedin a message on the group's website that the strike vote doesn't necessarily mean professors will go on strike.

"Calling a strike vote is not the same as going on strike,"Jones stated.

"A solid strike vote becomes essential at a certain stage in bargaining, and is often the best means of avoiding a strike," she said.

Negotiations between the AUNBT and the university have been ongoing since March.

Post-Secondary Education Minister Jody Carr said last week he would not appoint a conciliation board.

Polling for the strike vote is planned for Dec. 3 and Dec. 4.

The AUNBTrepresentsmore than 1,000 members at the Saint John and Fredericton UNB campuses.