Striking support workers at the universities of Regina and Saskatchewan will be voting on a management offer next week, but that doesn't mean everybody will be heading back to work right away.
Some 2,400 workers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees have been on the picket lines since Nov. 2.
Following conciliation sessions between the two sides earlier this week, management presented what it's calling its "final offer" to the union.
However, CUPE officials called the proposal a slap in the face and are asking members to vote against it.
"Usually a final offer is a best offer," said Brad McKaig, head of Saskatoon's CUPE 1975 bargaining committee. "Their final offer was a step back."
Barb Daigle, spokeswoman for the University of Saskatchewan, says otherwise. While the new deal doesn't touch the contentious issue of wage increases tied to performance evaluations, she says it gives ground in other areas.
"We are optimistic. We think this is progress," she said.
University of Regina workers will vote Monday and University of Saskatchewan workers vote Tuesday. McKaig said picket lines will remain until a deal is reached.
Wages, benefits and a proposal to tie pay increases to job performance are some of the key issues. University support staff perform a variety of jobs, from secretarial work to custodial duties.
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