AUFA’s membership engagement committee continued its series of smaller gatherings on Tuesday by meeting with AUFA members in the library. These smaller meetings are designed to provide more back and forth among members than are possible in general meetings and to address topics of specific interest.
The first part of the meeting addressed professional probation. This topic was important because the library has seen significant hiring over the past few years. It is also significant in the context of the employer’s bargaining proposal, which would eliminate most of the protections currently available to probationary professional employees.
There was also discussion of collective bargaining. Jen Rempel, a member of AUFA’s bargaining committee, explained how AU’s unwillingness to table a full offer makes it difficult to bargain. She also described the tone of AU’s representatives at the table (hostile) and the commitment of the AUFA bargaining team to resist the targeted attacks against professionals contained in the employer offer.
There was discussion about the tendency of AU to not hire replacements when staff go on research and study leave (i.e., sabbatical). This can cause workload problems for the remaining staff. Dave Powell pointed out that, while there are currently not many effective mechanisms for preventing these issues, AUFA’s bargaining proposal includes a meaningful way of appealing unreasonable workloads.
The meeting ended with a protracted discussion about the potential for a strike if bargaining reaches impasse. This included discussion of AUFA’s arrangements for strike pay and the continuation of benefits if AUFA members vote to go on strike. More analyses about the issues at the bargaining table will be shared with members over the coming weeks and months, but given the aggressive opening stance of the employer, it is important to be aware that a strike or lockout may occur at some point. Newer AUFA members are encouraged to read the work stoppage FAQ for information about these issues, and to contact engagement@aufa.ca with any additional questions or concerns.
Particularly interesting was the discussion around AU’s likely messaging during bargaining. AU often asserts that contractual rollbacks are required because these rights are an impediment to AU’s operations. It is difficult to reconcile this assertion with AU being one of the most successful universities in Alberta, in terms of financial stability and enrollment growth.
This suggests that concessions are more about the employer consolidating power than they are about any actual organizational need. It is important to remember that AU’s staff are the heart of the university, while AU’s executives come and go. While there are several concerning elements of the employer’s recent behaviour, the university thrives because of the hard work of AU staff. We can and will weather these times, together in solidarity.
Rhiannon Rutherford, Chair
Membership Engagement Committee