Contract talks involving the University of Windsor's Special Constable Service are underway with a strike deadline.
The current collective bargaining agreement between the school and its 26 special constables expires at midnight on Sunday, less than two days before the fall semester opens.
The constables are represented by Unifor Local 444. Secretary-Treasurer Manny Cardoso told reporters on Friday afternoon that the main priority is to hammer out the issues.
"We're just preparing because at the moment, we are very far apart," said Cardoso. "There are more than 48 hours remaining until the deadline, but we've kind of reached an impasse where our position and their position are very far apart."
Cardoso did not discuss specifics on the key sticking points, but hinted that wages are among them.
"We're looking for a fair deal. It's not an extravagant deal, we're looking to make our members whole with society and the inflation and everything else going around," said Cardoso. "We're not looking for massive gains. They're nominal gains, but to keep our members in line with inflation and everything else."
Picket signs were being readied Friday afternoon at the Unifor 444 Hall, and constables could walk out early Labour Day Monday if there is no deal in place.
Classes will begin this week as scheduled, with nursing and law orientation beginning on Tuesday, and all other programs beginning classes on Thursday.
WindsorNewsToday.ca has reached out to the University of Windsor for details on the negotiations, but has not yet heard back.
