Bargaining bulletin #5: Some Progress On Non-Monetary Issues and Enhanced Mandate Proposal
Dear Colleagues, the bargaining committee apologizes for the delay between bulletins - this is largely because we wanted to provide a more extensive bulletin covering some of the bigger themes of our last several meetings, which have been ongoing throughout the spring term. With new senior administrators coming on board, we hope this will have a productive impact on the bargaining context and look forward to hearing substantive responses from administration to our proposals in June. Here is some of what has happened since our last bulletin:
Financial Updates
The general wage increase (established by talks with BCGEU and Teachers’ Federation) is 3% in each year of the agreement’s 4-year term. We are currently in year 1.
The Union and administration are jointly working on a proposal to gain additional government funding to cover improvements to the agreement that extend beyond general wages (e.g., for benefits, better scale placement for NREGs). Initially the government was offering CapU an annual amount equal to 0.4% of “total faculty salary.” We are close to unlocking additional funding equal to 1.6%. If we can reach agreement, this could result in an amount equal to 2% of faculty annual salary added to the University’s annual budget by year 4.This is funding we want to unlock for proposals that substantially directly address improvements to our working conditions.
The Union has requested costing information from Administration on benefits, NREG placement improvements, and other CFA proposals, so we can identify which changes fit within the 2% funding envelope.
Grievance Process Improvements
The parties agreed on a new “troubleshooter” process for handling grievances, that is intended to resolve grievances that are at impasse through third-party mediation.
Key Bargaining Issues
Decolonization proposal: Discussions continue. Administration has opposed the Union’s initial proposal as overlapping with existing Indigenization, Decolonization and Reconciliation initiatives. We are working on a response.
Vacation banking: The Union proposed more flexibility for vacation use, and financial compensation when vacation cannot be taken. Administration has committed to providing a response.
“Appropriate Administrator” language: The Union rejected administration’s proposal to replace “Appropriate Dean,” arguing it weakens academic governance.
Union meeting block: Administration wants to move the Tuesday 11:30 meeting block; the Union has requested more information.
Two consecutive days off: The Union rejected the administration's proposal to remove this requirement from the Collective Agreement.
EDI joint committee: Both parties are in agreement on a committee that would identify EDI improvements for future bargaining rounds. The Union has indicated that the committee’s scope should extend beyond an assessment of the existing collective agreement to operations as a whole.
Evaluation
Administration and the Union are discussing a joint committee that would review evaluations. Administration has so far opposed this proposal, but discussions are continuing.
Other Proposals Tabled
The Union also raised:
Compensation for research and scholarship work and clarification on Academic Freedom
Multi-location travel compensation clarification
Salary equity, pertaining to NREG, PMI’s and Lab Supervisors
COLA protections for benefits (to ensure Benefits doesn’t lose value over time)
Improved financial exigency protections
Improvements to existing paramedical services under flexible benefits plan.
Our next bargaining meeting is set for May 29, and will focus on our regularization proposals and discussion of the Union and administration’s proposals on EDI; with additional meetings running into June.
In Solidarity,
CFA Bargaining Team