BT holds Employer to account as third month of Collective Bargaining comes to a close
Bargaining Report Back: Week of September 25
The Bargaining Team (BT) met with the Employer in a short online session on Wednesday, September 27. In addition to presenting the Unit 3 proposals designed to increase transparency in the hiring and costing of Graduate Assistantships, the BT continued to press the Employer to clarify their processes and policies relating to release of Union funds.
Unit 3 Proposals
Unit 3 members of the Bargaining Team (BT) presented proposals to clarify the Graduate Assistant (GA) hiring and remuneration language within the Unit 3 Collective Agreement (CA). The proposals also aim to increase protections for both MA and PhD graduate students across various faculties. We continue to receive conflicting information from the employer about the process of hiring GAs; who is responsible for covering the group benefits cost associated with hiring a GA; and how GA pay is supplemented by other components of graduate funding enshrined in the CA. While we are confident that these proposals would improve the situation, we continue to be met with obfuscation at the bargaining table.
Employer commits to releasing outstanding CA funds for September 2023
Last week, the Bargaining Team (BT) argued with the Employer’s characterization of some Collective Agreement (CA) funds as “dated items.” The Employer’s position is that they are under no obligation to release funds which are attached to specific dates if the relevant CA is expired. The Employer used this interpretation to initially withhold their full contributions to the Ways and Means Fund and the Professional Development Fund.
Ahead of Wednesday’s bargaining session, the Employer indicated via email that they will release the balance of these funds as a “friendly gesture.” While the BT is not averse to friendliness, it cannot be the basis upon which policies around funds are established or changed, particularly when those funds are designed to mitigate the financial hardships of our most vulnerable members. Nor can friendliness be the basis for this, or any, collective agreement between employers and workers.
Wage proposals forthcoming from the Employer
In response to last week’s rally for fair wages, the Employer has alluded to forthcoming wage proposals for each of the Unions whose members were affected by Bill 124. When asked by the Bargaining Team (BT) to clarify the timeline for such proposals, the Employer was unable to do so. They have also indicated that these proposals will come after a presentation on the University’s financial situation. Our members are struggling with the rising cost of living and the suppression of wages over the last several years, and we will insist that the University account for our needs alongside their financial interests and decisions.
BT fired up for CUPE 3903 Welcome Back BBQ
Members who want to get to know the Bargaining Team and join bargaining mobilization efforts should come out to the CUPE 3903 Welcome Back BBQ! It’s happening on October 3 between noon and 4 p.m. outside the Atkinson building.
Get Involved: Upcoming Bargaining Meetings with the Employer
We have a busy month ahead. In keeping with the principle of open bargaining, all members are encouraged to attend bargaining meetings (the regular weekly meetings as well the meetings with the Employer).
Bargaining Meetings with the Employer –
Check the website’s calendar closer to the bargaining dates for in-person location.
Oct 11, 2023 10:00 AM–5:00 PM (in-person location TBD)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMkcOGsqTguGdZwU2JVIfi2BhN1s0XthqDN
Oct 18, 2023 10:00 AM–5:00 PM (in-person location TBD)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZItc-6grTsvHNZScc2vXOTH0Qpjqh398mhs
Oct 27, 2023 10:00 AM–5:00 PM (in-person location TBD)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZctfu2tqDsjE9cSFrzy6vffqq_9hKXNlNJm
Bargaining Team Meetings
Oct 2, 2023 01:00–3:00 PM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88961965124?pwd=YTVNaks4NnAxUlNKakt0a1ovRFBDZz09
Oct 10, 2023 02:00–4:00 PM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83844789491?pwd=QzBnaDZzby9VYjJYekJMekFhSXJoZz09
Oct 16, 2023 01:00–3:00 PM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83749454936?pwd=dHE4R1RIeUtBUExDUDIzTmdaSlNVZz09
Oct 17, 2020 Joint meeting of the Bargaining Team and Executive Committee
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89314435630?pwd=cEtUbWt5SXVZTVc0ZHd1ckI1dkVNQT09
Oct 23, 2023 01:00–3:00 PM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82680781398?pwd=d1J2Zzh2VXBYZ1VjdFpUQ0lTSkZpUT09
Oct 30, 2023 01:00–3:00 PM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84211348026?pwd=V2lwYnpMbG1VdmRBWHB5bHhqK3Y0UT09
General Membership Meetings
Bargaining SGMM
Oct 12, 2:00-5:00 https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEsdeGgqzgvG9b15oyidFa7Gna36AQZPfIA
October GMM
Oct 31, 2:00-5:00 https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMvcuyrqT0pE912bq-UA66a0STPK0nosG78
Accessibility of Bargaining Meetings
For the regular bargaining team meetings, Zoom captions will be enabled. For the bargaining meetings with the Employer, CART will be available. If you require ASL interpretation or reimbursement for childcare/caregiver/attendant care or have any other requests for accommodation, please contact our Equity Officer, Nadia Kanani, at cupe3903equity@gmail.com.
Due to the high demand for ASL interpreters, we encourage members to provide, when possible, two weeks’ notice if ASL interpretation is required.