Designation
Two weeks ago, AUFA proposed a resolution to the current dispute over designation. The crux of AUFA’s proposal was:
AUFA would stop preparing for a visiting student boycott and cease organizing anti-designation protests if
AU agreed that, for a period of five years, de-designation of current AUFA positions can only occur if AUFA consents to the de-designation.
Late on Friday, Director of HR Charlene Polege rejected AUFA’s offer because
AU was not prepared to give up its power to de-designate AUFA members, and
AU did not believe AUFA’s offer was in good faith, and that we would pursue transfer credit boycotts even if the letter is signed.
This is a disappointing outcome. Any suggestion AUFA would continue soliciting transfer credit boycotts after reaching agreement is impossible as the boycotts are contingent on designation changes. The offered letter would prevent designation changes and thus nullify the threat.
In response, AUFA will commence expanding its boycott threat from the current 11 institutions to 50. The purpose of expanding the boycott threat is to make it prohibitively expensive for AU to de-designate AUFA members.
This coming Friday, President Fassina will be hosting another connect with the president session. He is taking questions in advance of the session and, if there is time, by chat at the end.
You may wish to ask Fassina how he proposes to resolve the destructive dispute that his policy change has triggered before he departs for Okanagan College in the spring.
AUPE Health Care Workers Walk Out
AUPE health care workers around Alberta have walked off the job in a wildcat, or unsanctioned strike in presumed response to planned layoffs of approximately eleven thousand AUPE workers and privatization of their functions. The planned cuts were to housekeeping, food service, laboratory, and laundry work all of which is critical work for the operation of hospitals and for the health and safety of patients.
Withdrawl of labour is the most effective tool any worker has when facing threats to their livelihoods. Such strikes are organized by workers rather than union leadership. This is an incredible, courageous act for AUPE workers and a show of their power and refusal to bow down to a government which has shown incredible hostility and contempt for vital public sector workers.
AUFA stands in solidarity with striking AUPE workers and encourage all AUFA members to show support at their pickets which are in front of hospitals around Alberta. We will be organizing lunchtime attendance in the following days. Outside of organized attendance we encourage all members spend some time on pickets, honk when driving by, and to write their politicians. The more support health care workers have, the faster there will be a positive resolution to the strike.
If you are in the Edmonton area and wish to attend an AUPE picket, please contact Bob Barnetson.
If you are in Athabasca, please contact David Powell.