BARGAINING NEWS! January 30th, 2025
CUASA and the Employer were back at the bargaining table yesterday. As of yesterday, the Employer has received our entire bargaining package. We are still waiting on proposals from the Employer.
In negotiations to date we have made some progress including nearing agreements on proposals that allow for better security for term appointments and tenure and promotion criteria for teaching stream faculty. We are however, still waiting on the Employer to return to the table with counters on proposals on leaves, sabbatical allowance, creating more effective grievance and investigation processes, improving anti-harassment provisions, and improving accessibility and accommodations processes.
What is concerning to CUASA’s team is the Employer’s lack of meaningful negotiation on issues of workload including their rejection of proposals for better teaching assistant (TA) support, manageable class sizes, and the replacement of librarians on sabbatical leave. Further the Employer has advanced proposals which would increase the maximum teaching load, require faculty to live within a “reasonable distance” from campus, stricter CDI processes, and mandate in-person and on campus attendance for meetings and service.
Given the lack of meaningful progress on workload issues, this week CUASA applied for conciliation. Conciliation is a process in bargaining where a conciliation officer is appointed by the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development to meet with CUASA and the Employer, to attempt to help resolve differences so that a Collective Agreement can be reached. In applying for conciliation, CUASA is not attempting to disrupt negotiations. Rather, we are fully committed to bargaining in good faith as we made clear to the Employer in our letter informing them of our request for conciliation to the Ministry. We hope the appointment of conciliator will be helpful in reaching an agreement.
CUASA’s Negotiating Team understands that the stakes at the bargaining table are high. Our working conditions impact the learning conditions at Carleton University. Our research secures Carleton’s enviable position amongst comprehensive universities. Our students deserve our best and we can only give it if we have the time and tools to do our best. Our community is relying upon us to maintain high educational standards.
There will be a bargaining update at the January 30th General Membership Meeting – please register in advance to attend.
Thank you to all the members who attended one of the two Bargaining Information Sessions last week. As always, if you have questions about bargaining please contact your Council Representative or write to us at [email protected]. Bargaining Information Session for all CUASA members are in planning for February, please watch your email and visit the CUASA website for updates.
We return to the bargaining table February 5th, 13th, 25th and 26th.
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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