Volume 28, No. 16 Editor: Mark Langer February, 1998 THE BIG PICTURE: LAYOFFS, NEGOTIATIONS, AND STRIKE VOTES In contrast to recent newsletters which have focussed on specific issues, we provide here some broad perspectives both on the fall-out from program redundancies and on our next collective agreement. The key issues are threatened lay-offs, the current round of negotiations, and a strike vote, issues which are inextricably related to each other. THREATENED LAYOFFS The threatened layoffs in SLLCLS and Physics -- that management argues are necessary because of program redundancies -- are being considered by the relevant Dean's Advisory Committee comprising the Dean, departmental representatives, and student members (Collective Agreement, Appendix D, Part II, 2j); and disagreements are referred to a Committee of Review, composed of representatives from each Faculty (Collective Agreement, Appendix D, Part II, 2h). In the event that these procedures are not completed after two months, a committee of Deans shall select individuals to be laid off (Article 17.10(e)). In these matters, management is working within the provisions of the current collective agreement, but CUASA has argued that there is a more decent way of treating valued and competent faculty members: voluntary separation before layoffs. We shall continue to fight tenaciously for this general principle in negotiating the next collective agreement, and we shall continue to fight and negotiate through the winter and spring for those currently threatened by layoff. Management is contractually obligated not to layoff or give notice of layoff before May 1, 1998. NEGOTIATIONS CUASA and management had agreed that negotiations to renew the Collective Agreement expiring on April 30, 1998, would start early, to give the parties time to explore the basis for agreement. We met in several sessions in the Fall, and agreed that Interest Based Bargaining (IBB) would be initially used. IBB differs from traditional bargaining in that it does not start from the placing of demands or proposals on the table. Instead, the parties engage in a mutual exploration of interests, issues, and options, with the goal of ultimately identifying points of agreement. The IBB protocol stipulated that discussion would be held in confidence, as a means of encouraging full and frank exploration of all options for dealing with the many contentious issues that we face. Thus, members who had been hoping to hear more on the progress in bargaining must realize that confidentiality agreed to by the parties restricts what can be said at this stage. The IBB process was deflected by the Senate resolutions on program redundancies. Those resolutions imposed on CUASA an obligation to negotiate, pursuant to Article 17.12 of the Collective Agreement, with respect to the implementation of the Senate resolutions. Between December 8 and January 16, intensive negotiations failed to reach an agreement with the result that other provisions in the Collective Agreement cited above could be invoked by management to enable it to lay off academic staff. During these negotiations, CUASA continued to insist that management commit itself to the acceptance of applications for voluntary separation in the affected faculties to reduce or eliminate the need for layoffs. We are now back to bargaining for a new Collective Agreement, and have, for the time being, agreed to continue with IBB. CUASA has made it clear that the avoidance of layoffs is a major concern that must be addressed in IBB. We have established a terminal date for IBB of February 25, although either party is entitled to withdraw at an earlier time, and if both parties believe that IBB is working, it could be extended. We have scheduled a total of 14.5 hours of bargaining up to February 25, and will be in a better position at the end of that time to assess management's willingness to cooperate in seeking acceptable alternatives to layoffs. THE STRIKE VOTE The January 16 General Meeting of CUASA passed unanimously the resolution "that the CUASA executive be directed to call a strike vote at an appropriate moment if further negotiations on the laying off of tenured academic staff fail to reach a satisfactory conclusion". This resolution provided the CUASA executive with the mandate to call a strike vote among members, not the mandate to call a strike. Given the gravity of this matter, however, your executive will be monitoring very carefully progress in these discussions over the next few weeks. A strike vote will not be taken lightly, but if necessary it will be taken. Its timing will be determined by progress in negotiations, but it cannot be taken before April 1, 1998, because of restrictions imposed by the Labour Relations Act. Meanwhile we encourage members to be prepared to follow the lead taken at the General Meeting: to show solidarity with, and commitment to, our beleaguered colleagues. HOUSING NOTICE Charming house near Dow's Lake. Ten minute drive (20 minute bicycle ride) to campus. Large, second story bedroom; 2 studies (both overlooking the well-treed back year); spare bedroom; separate dining room; kitchen nook; and den. Fully furnished and includes laundry facilities. Quiet, careful tenant(s), who will take excellent care of the house desired. Rent: $1100 per month (plus utilities). To arrange an appointment, email schaller@ccs.carleton.ca or call 520-2600 x3751.