Bargaining News! January 19th, 2025
CUASA and the Employer are back at the bargaining table today and tomorrow. Last week both Negotiating Teams spent January 14th caucusing in preparation for our meeting at the bargaining table on January 16th.
What was immediately made clear from the January 16th meeting is that the Employer has not heard CUASA’s concerns about workload. The Employer came to the table with proposals that would potentially raise teaching allocations for Faculty (both streams). Proposals made by CUASA to consider guidelines for the allocation of Teaching Assistants and the evaluation of class sizes were met with the response that these matters were beyond the scope of the Employer’s negotiating team. That is, the Employer will not meaningfully address the realities of diminishing TA resources and the ballooning of class sizes with the union. Other CUASA proposals pertaining to workload, such as creating reasonable rules on course cancellation, creating fair and clear work expectations, and replacing Librarians on sabbatical or long-term leave have all been rejected by the employer.
The Employer has made clear they will not commit to filling positions left vacant by Faculty through the Volunteer Retirement Incentive Package. They have further revealed that in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at least 50% of Contract Instructors will not be returning next year. We hear similar reports of cuts to teaching staff and assistants from our Council Representatives across departments. This lost labour will fall on the Faculty and Librarians who remain. The Employer has not provided any information on how much it expects to save with these measures or how it intends to redistribute the lost labour. The workload situation is already unsustainable and we cannot let it worsen. CUASA will continue to push for a more manageable workload to ensure we can continue to provide quality services to students and the larger community.
CUASA’s Negotiating Team is holding two online Bargaining Information Sessions for members in January on the 22nd and the 24th. The Negotiating Team will update members on the bargaining to date and go over processes and timelines as we continue into negotiations. There will be time allocated for questions. We urge you to attend if you are able – registration is required.
Wednesday, January 22, 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm Register here for this time.
Friday, January 24, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm Register here for this time.
As always, if you have questions about bargaining please contact your Council Representative or write to us at [email protected]. Watch your email and visit the CUASA website for bargaining updates.
We return to the bargaining table January 29th and February 5th.
The 2021-24 Collective Agreement remains in force until a new agreement is concluded by both parties, or until a lockout or strike. CUASA will continue to regularly inform its members on collective bargaining.
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