The Communiqué: Volume 47, No. 7 – December 20, 2024
Please note the CUASA Office is closed from end-of-day Friday, December 20, until Monday, January 6, at 9:00am. No services will be provided during this period. If you have an urgent matter, please contact CUASA Executive Director Jaye Horton at [email protected] and include * URGENT * in the subject line.
Thank you for your patience and understanding during the holiday closure.
In This Issue:
- CUASA Bargaining News
- Report on Campus United Budget Townhall – December 12
- Letter of Support for CUPE 4600 – December 18
- Updates on the Motion in Defense of Palestine
- Other News
Bargaining News
CUASA’s Negotiating Team met with the Employer on December 16th and 18th. Both teams presented counterproposals to the non-financial articles on the table concerning workload, leaves, health and safety, and grievances. Continued dialogue has allowed for small concessions to be made by both teams. CUASA’s team continues to emphasize the need to address workload issues. The Negotiating Team is planning Bargaining Information Sessions for the general membership in the new year – keep up with the Communiqué for dates and times.
If you have questions about bargaining please contact your Council Representative or write to us at [email protected].
We return to the bargaining table January 14th, 16th, 20th, 21st and 29th.
We also anticipate sharing a more substantive update on how negotiations are progressing early in the new year. Watch your email and the CUASA website for bargaining updates going forward!
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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Report on Campus United Budget Townhall – December 12
This past Thursday, December 12, CUASA President Dominique Marshall joined CUPE 2424 President Jerrett Clark (Staff), CUPE 4600 President Esther Post (Contract Instructors and Teaching Assistants), and PSAC 77000 JCAA Co-Chair Giuseppe Amatulli (Post-doctoral Fellows), at the Campus United Budget Townhall. The event focused on discussing the “financial crisis” narrative being advanced by Carleton’s administration.
Each union represented spoke of the impacts of proposed budget cuts on their members, in particular how Carleton’s cuts to Contract Instructors will severely impact CUPE 4600 members, and how these cuts will lead to increased workloads for full-time faculty and administrative staff represented by CUASA and CUPE 2424.
Some noteworthy information that was shared at the townhall include:
- A continued failure of Carleton to communicate with CUPE 4600 regarding budgeting decisions and Contract Instructor and Teaching Assistant positions.
- Continued significant budget commitments to building, signage, and campus improvements despite increase budget deficit notice from the University, without sufficient justifications.
The presenters took questions from both in-person and virtual attendees, and spoke about how Campus United can find collaborative ways forward to address the impacts of Carleton’s so-called “financial crisis”.
Campus United is a collective of unions and organizations at Carleton University whose representatives meet regularly to keep each other informed on workplace issues and build solidarity amongst workers at Carleton.
Letter of Support for CUPE 4600
This past week we learned that the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) has reduced the number of Contract Instructors in that faculty by half in the plans for 2025-2026. CUASA understands that the loss of these teaching colleagues will have severe impacts on the entire Carleton community. Please read our letter of support here.
Update on the Motion in Defense of Palestine
Since the membership passed at the “Motion in Defense of Palestinian Human Rights and International Law”on October 31st at the Fall General Membership Meeting CUASA’s Steering Committee, responsible for implementing the policies of the Association, has been working towards enacting the resolutions of the motion. More information can be found here.
Other News
University Affairs Survey
University Affairs is calling on ALL faculty and administrators at Canadian universities to share your insights on gender equity. What are the challenges and opportunities to achieving gender equity for women and gender minorities at Canadian postsecondary institutions?The survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete, and your responses will remain confidential. Survey.
Street Smarts Ottawa
This holiday season the Ottawa and District Labour Council is once again encouraging donations of socks and gift cards for the Street Smarts Ottawa outreach program. Street Smarts is a street-based outreach program that offers resources, referrals, and basic supplies to Ottawa’s downtown homeless population. Gift cards should be in amounts no higher than $5.00 or $10.00. Donations can be dropped off at the Ottawa Labour Council offices or email [email protected].
Ottawa Labour Council Standing Committees
The Ottawa and District Labour Council has 5 Standing Committees; Women’s Committee, Human Rights Committee, Education Committee, Political Action and Municipal Affairs Committee, Health & Safety and the Environment Committee. CUASA members interested in attending/sitting on a committee can email [email protected].
The Communiqué is published by the Carleton University Academic Staff Association. Past issues are archived on our website at CUASA.ca. The Communiqué publishes CUASA-related news and information for our members. Please follow us on X and Facebook for daily CUASA and community news.
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