Volume 27, No. 7       Editor:  Mark Langer           March 1997.



                     CUASA BURSARIES ENDOWED



On March 4, 1997, CUASA Council voted to provide $20,000 to Carleton

University in order to endow the CUASA bursaries.  For more than 20 years,

CUASA has provided a number of bursaries for Carleton students (currently

five at $300 each) by using the interest generated from invested funds. 



This year, the Ontario Government created the Student Opportunity Fund

which provides matching funds from the Government for any endowed

bursaries.  By providing $20,000 to endow the CUASA bursaries, the

Government is obligated to provide a matching amount.  The Director of

Development and Alumni Services has assured CUASA that endowed funds may

only be used for the purpose of providing bursaries, that the fund will be

protected against inflation as part of the investment strategy and, that

CUASA will receive annual reports on the fund management.  This means that

CUASA will loose control over the $20,000 which it has provided to

Carleton but, with proper investment, either larger or more bursaries will

be available to Carleton students from Ontario. 



Concerned about increasing tuition fees, Council also decided to pledge an

additional $15,000 to be raised over the next two years.  Such pledges are

only eligible to receive matching government funds if made prior to March

31, 1997 and there is no penalty for failing to meet the pledged amount. 



                       NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE



It's getting to be that time of year again.  Our current collective

agreement expires on April 30 and a new round of collective bargaining, or

something approaching it, is about to begin.  But this year there is a new

wrinkle which it is important for all members of CUASA to understand. 



Goodbye arbitration ...



At the end of January management served notice that it was withdrawing

from our joint commitment to submit all unresolved issues to arbitration. 

This is the second year in a row that management has refused to

countenance the idea of submitting its bargaining position to impartial

third-party scrutiny in the event that a settlement cannot be reached

through collective bargaining.  CUASA has always favoured arbitration, not

only because it is a civilized dispute-settlement mechanism but also

because it works as an effective reality check to keep the negotiating

positions of both sides within a reasonable distance.  Although CUASA has

no choice but to accept management's decision, we are certainly not happy

they have again chosen to do without the sensible discipline that

impartial arbitration imposes. 



... hello interest-based bargaining



At the same time as it rejected arbitration, management invited CUASA to

participate in something called "interest-based bargaining" (IBB).  IBB,

as we have learned, is intended to replace conventional negotiations by an

extended series of joint sessions that are run along problem-solving lines

and directed at finding a consensual settlement that will meet the

interests of both parties.  After meeting with management to discuss this

option, and after obtaining additional information on its procedures and

track record, CUASA Council has decided to give IBB a try. 



Why CUASA has concerns about interest-based bargaining



Management has consistently presented IBB as a way to reach a quick

settlement.  Problem is, nobody else seems to agree with them.  The

experts we have consulted, including those recommended to us by

management, have all told us that IBB actually requires more time, not

less, than conventional bargaining.  Given that fact, and given that

management waited until the end of January to raise the prospect of IBB

(why not last fall?), we are concerned that they may really want

fast-track talks in which "joint problem solving" comes down to our saying

yes to their numbers and their position.  That is why CUASA has insisted

that IBB sessions must be assisted by an experienced professional

facilitator who will keep our feet to the problem-solving fire and exclude

any take-it-or-leave-it package deals. 



Why CUASA has agreed to interest-based bargaining



CUASA has decided to go ahead with IBB because we want to do all we can to

reach a new collective agreement that will be both fair to our members and

compatible with the long-term financial viability of the university.  If

IBB can help us reach that goal, so much the better.  If it cannot, at

least we will have given it a try.  The text of the protocol follows: 



              Protocol For Interest-Based Bargaining



1.   Each party will appoint its own bargaining team.



2.   The employer will provide financial information to CUASA by 4:00 p.m.

     on March 11, 1997.



3.   The parties agree to meet in interest-based bargaining with the

     assistance of a facilitator to be mutually agreed upon, the costs to

     be divided equally between the parties.



4.   The parties agree to meet in interest-based bargaining with the

     following objectives: 



     (a)  to identify the interests to be addressed;

     (b)  to identify a range of options to be explored in addressing those

	  interests;

     (c)  to narrow the range of options with a view to a renewal of the 

	  collective agreement; 

     and,

     (d)  to agree on the terms for renewal of the collective agreement.



5.   No proposal or position stated by either party during the discussions

     shall be considered a formal proposal unless it is expressly stated by

     that party to be a "formal proposal".



6.   All discussions, disclosures, proposals or other communications

     between the bargaining teams, and between each team and its principals,

     shall be confidential, and there shall be no other public communication

     except as agreed by the bargaining teams.



7.   Either party may terminate the proceedings at any time, without

     reasons.  If the proceedings are terminated, this fact shall be

     communicated by a joint statement, and there shall be no other

     communication concerning these proceedings except as agreed by the

     parties.



8.   Termination of these proceedings by either party shall constitute

     formal notice to bargain pursuant to Article 32.3 of the collective

     agreement, in which case bargaining shall proceed pursuant to the

     collective agreement and all discussions, disclosures, proposals, and

     other communications pursuant to these proceedings shall be deemed to

     have been off the record and without prejudice.