Mediator Appointed

Environment and Labour Minister Mark Parent announced today, Nov. 1, the appointment of Milton Veniot to mediate the labour-management dispute between the board of governors of Acadia University and Acadia University Faculty Association.

"Mr. Veniot's experience and expertise will help the situation," said Mr. Parent. "Naming a mediator puts greater pressure on the parties to reach a resolution."

Mr. Veniot, a veteran Pictou County lawyer, has successfully mediated a number of disputes in the past few years. Mr. Veniot assisted the University of New Brunswick and its non-faculty union, as well as assisting the faculty associations at the University of Prince Edward Island, University College of Cape Breton and Dalhousie University in ending their work stoppages.

"With the appointment of Mr. Veniot, the parties must know that expectations are much higher now for a settlement," Mr. Parent said.

He said the appointment of a mediator is a well-used, dispute-breaking mechanism and is part of the collective bargaining process.