AUFA supports fair wages for grad students
Last week, AUFA, AUPE, and CUPE signed a letter to AU supporting fair wages for graduate students.
Presently, the hourly rate of Research Assistants at AU is $18.50 (master’s) and $20.50 (doctoral). The provincial average is $35.63.
RAs at AU have not received a pay increase since 2013. After four years of bargaining with the Athabasca University Graduate Students’ Association, AU continues to demand a wage freeze until at least 2027.
This would mean RAs would see no wage increase for 14 years.
Assuming 35 hours per week, 50 weeks per year (which is not the case for graduate students), these wages yield annual incomes of $32,375 and $35,875, respectively.
This wage offer is not consistent with AU’s I-CARE values, which asserts AU will treat community members with fairness and value every member of the community. AUFA is hopeful that AU will agree to provide a meaningful wage increase for graduate students.
While individual action is not a substitute for systemic change, AUFA members hiring RAs can, with a rationale, offer wages that are higher than the contractual minimum.
Pamela Holway
Advocacy Lead
Bob Barnetson
President