This past Thursday, the AUFA bargaining team descended on AU-Edmonton North for a day-long strategy session. Present were Eric Strikwerda (Chair), Serena Henderson, Jason Foster, and Alexa DeGagne, as well as Work Stoppage Committee Chair Bob Barnetson and AUFA President Jolene Armstrong.
Attending remotely from AU-Main were MEC survey architects Rhiannon Rutherford and Dave Powell. (Bargaining team member Bangaly Kaba was unable to join us for this session because he is on research leave in Africa).
We had a lot of ground to cover. As you might recall, last November MEC survey volunteers contacted by phone a representative sample of the AUFA membership to discover broadly what bargaining issues resonate most with AUFA members. We spent most of the morning session discussing ways to incorporate the results of that survey into AUFA’s opening bargaining proposal.
It is, of course, critical that our opening proposal reflect accurately what AUFA members hope to gain from this next round of bargaining. To that end, we spent part of the afternoon sketching out a basic timeline of ensuring continued member consultations to help us fine-tune AUFA’s opening proposal.
What’s Next?
Over the next two weeks, we’re asking AUFA members to complete an online, anonymous form (below) to help us sharpen our sense of members’ desired bargaining outcomes.
Next month, the bargaining team will circulate a draft list of broad topical proposals for further feedback.
In early April, the bargaining team will organize a short series of townhall meetings to present to members the broad contours of AUFA’s proposals, followed by an online vote.
Near the end of April, the AUFA bargaining team will present its Notice to Bargain to the employer.
And that’s when the fun begins.
Eric Strikwerda
AUFA Bargaining Chair
We Want Your Feedback
Over the next two weeks, we’re asking AUFA members to contribute to an online, anonymous form (below) to help us sharpen our sense of members’ desired bargaining outcomes. In the space below, please tell us what you’d like to see in AUFA’s opening proposal. The form will remain open until 26 February.