This week, AUFA continued to consult with AU about AU’s proposal to de-designate 67% of AUFA members. This post canvasses developments this week and plans for next.
Academic Letter to Provost Ignored
Last week, AUFA delivered a copy of an open letter signed by more than 90 AU professors to Provost Matt Prineas regarding AU’s de-designation proposal. The letter request Prineas convey the opposition of AUFA’s professors to the de-designation of our colleagues. Prineas has not acknowledge receipt of this letter.
Consultation Update
This week, AUFA, AUPE and CUPE met with AU for a third consultation meeting. There was no progress. There continues to be no explanation for what problem AU’s proposal is designed to resolve.
AU continues to try to direct the conversation towards the definition of an academic. The three unions continue to assert that the existing policy and bargaining unit boundaries are adequate and make labour-relations sense.
AUFA would like to acknowledge the strong support it has received from AUPE and CUPE representatives in consultations to date. AUFA would also like to extend its appreciation to the AUFA members who posted supportive signs in the consultation meeting room. If nothing else, de-designation has driven both AUFA members and AU’s unions firmly together, in an unexpected version of President Fassina’s OneAU vision.
No further consultation meetings are presently scheduled, although AU did indicate it would be scheduling more meetings. Fassina mentioned a revised policy during his recent townhall meetings. AU has also not indicated whether or when any revised policy will be forthcoming.
At present, AUFA expects further consultation to take place. Nevertheless, AUFA is prepared to mount a legal challenge to any new policy if AU decides to terminate consultation and present a new policy to the Board of Governors at its March 27th meeting.
Sign-Making Party
The membership engagement committee will be hosting a brown-bag, sign-making luncheon from 12-1 at Peace Hills Trust on Thursday, March 5th in room 1222. Signs will be important if AU’s intransigence requires us to undertake information picketing or attend Board of Governors meetings.
All sign-making supplies will be provided (bring your own lunch). Please come with a slogan for your sign in mind. You might consider something straight forward (“we choose AUFA”), witty (“So bad, even the introverts are here”), or pointed (“Am I next?”).
Testimonials Start Next Week
Next week, AUFA will begin a more public campaign regarding de-designation. The first phase includes pushing out testimonials from affected AUFA members about the impact of de-designation on these members and on AU’s operations.
Bill 1: Critical Infrastructure Defence Act
The first bill before the legislature during this sitting is the Critical Infrastructure Defence Act. This Act provides for the arrest, fining, and imprisonment of peaceful protesters in public spaces (e.g., roadways, which includes sidewalks and boulevards) or any other space named by cabinet in regulation.
While Bill 1 is being framed as a response to recent rail blockades (which are already illegal), Bill 1 could be used against workers and citizens engaged in protests. For example, had Bill 1 been in effect in October, the students who participated in the October climate rally in Edmonton would have been subject to arrest, fines, and/or imprisonment.
This has significant implications for labour disputes. Cabinet could, for example, name post-secondary institutions as essential infrastructure and thereby render even informational picketing illegal.
Some commentators are suggesting Bill 1 is likely unconstitutional because it unreasonably infringes both upon our Charter rights (e.g., freedom of expression) and federal jurisdiction.
If you wish to write to your MLA about this matter, you can find their contact information here.
Bob Barnetson, Member
AUFA Membership Engagement Committee