Cape Breton University president does not expect a strike

The president of Cape Breton University, David Wheeler, does not expecta strike by instructors and maintenance workers,despite thoseemployees voting 100percent in favour of strike action.

"It's part of the game," Wheelersaid. "It's the way labour relations work in Canada.I totally respect the union's need to rally its members and show how serious they are about trying to get a better deal."

Wheeler said, however, that the university is in a tough financial position.

"This is not great timing for us in terms of generating generous deals," he said.

Wheeler saidCBU must cut costs by 10 per cent. Thatmeans taking $5 million out of its $50 millionbudget in three to fouryears.

He expects a contract settlement tobe reached when the two sides enter conciliation talks in early February. The instructors and maintenance workers are represented by Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union Local 18.

The main issues in dispute are hours of work, workload and wage parity with CBU counterparts represented by other unions and counterparts at other Nova Scotia universities.