Talking Points : Students

Members have asked for some basic talking points to help them answer student questions about bargaining and a potential strike. We’re hopeful the information below is helpful.

When using these, it is okay to pick-and-choose, go off script, and be yourself. It is best to be honest and talk about the impact of bargaining on yourself, your colleagues, and your work.

If you don’t know the answer, just say that and refer them to www.aufa.ca.

Please be kind to students; this is very stressful for them. It is not, however, your job to solve student problems related to a strike. It is AU’s job to figure out what to do if AUFA strikes.

  • I’m a member of Athabasca University Faculty Association (AUFA).

  • There are 440 AUFA members. Half of us are professors and half of us are professional staff (e.g., librarians, course production, administrators, IT staff, facilities).

  • Our contract expired in June of 2020. We have been bargaining since March of 2021.

  • We’re seeking a cost-of-living increase as well as improvements in language around equity, freedom of speech, and working from home. You can find out more at www.aufa.ca .

  • Our last cost-of-living increase was July 1, 2017.

  • For 10 months, AU refused to even fully tell us what they wanted.

  • AU is now offering a four-year wage freeze, are trying to make it cheaper to lay us off, eliminate our equity rights, and are trying to radically reduce the rights of professional members.

  • There is no reason AU needs a wage freeze or language rollbacks. AU has run a surplus every year for the past 5 years. Bargaining could be resolved amicably if AU actually came to the table and meaningfully bargained.

  • AUFA filed for mediation on February 18 in the hope that a mediator will encourage AU to begin meaningful bargaining and avert a strike.

  • If mediation is unsuccessful in the next few weeks, AUFA will be forced to take a strike vote.

  • AUFA members do not want to strike. AU’s unwillingness to offer a fair deal is forcing us towards a strike.

  • Concordia University in Edmonton had a strike in January and achieved a settlement in 3 weeks.

  • The University of Lethbridge went on strike in early February.

  • Mount Royal University in Calgary on saw the employer settle after it threatened to take a strike vote.

  • If there is a strike at AU, it would be part of a larger pattern in the province.

  • A ‘yes’ on a strike vote does not mean that we will necessarily go on strike. A ‘yes’ on a strike vote gives the bargaining team more leverage, and they can use this leverage to advance bargaining.

  • I care about your education, and I care about the education future students will receive. Our working conditions are your learning conditions.

  • I know that talk of a strike is causing you stress. I am stressed as well. I wouldn’t consider voting yes in a strike vote if I didn’t think the future of our university, including our ability to recruit and retain amazing staff was at stake.

  • It is up to AU to figure out how to navigate a strike. If you have questions about how the university will handle a strike, you should contact Charlene Polege, Director HR at cpolege@athabascau.ca .