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The more we meet, the more things stay the same.
In an email to the Carleton community on March 13, the University indicated negotiations at the bargaining table have been going well and are proceeding in a “normal” and “timely” manner. We disagree!
We spent 11 hours in Conciliation with the Employer on March 14. We spent much of the day waiting for the employer to return counter proposals on our outstanding priorities including intellectual property, salary, and TA-Student ratios. Mid-afternoon, the Employer returned a financial package that still does not meet your needs and expectations and we spent the rest of the afternoon and into the evening crafting a response package with your red lines.
Over the past eight months, the CUPE 4600 Bargaining Teams have consistently shown up to the table prepared with proposals and counter proposals at each meeting, while the employer has frequently wasted entire days of bargaining without providing any proposals or responses. The employer is often disorganized and unprepared (or unwilling) to engage with proposals, effectively running out the clock and wasting our time – not to mention your money!
The University needs to act NOW to avoid a strike.
Here are a few things that you and your colleagues can consider/do immediately to prepare for job action:
Download a copy of your grades and then prepare to either hide them or remove them from Brightspace; Prepare to remove any course materials from Brightspace; Answer questions and give feedback in person rather than online; Set up an auto-response in your email (link to example); Consider using class time to educate students on bargaining and priority issues still on the table (e.g., your working conditions are their learning conditions). - Check in with your TA(s) (if applicable) to make sure you’re on the same page and ensure students are getting consistent updates and instructions on how they can support their CIs and TAs and the Bargaining Teams!
We understand these are challenging and difficult decisions, and we don’t send this update lightly. CIs need to stand together to improve not only our working conditions, but also the quality of instruction and education we can provide our students.
Remember, enduring the fight for a fair deal today means securing a better tomorrow for everyone!
If you need more information and clarity, click here.
Don't forget to attend the Special General Membership Meeting tonight at 7PM!
In solidarity,
The Bargaining Team
Noreen Cauley-Le Fevre, President
Sarah Fiander, VP Internal
Cheryl Cundell, co-VP Unit 2 and Chief Negotiator
Ryan Conard, Recording Secretary
Patti Kmiec, Mobilization Committee Chair
Lori Stinson, Unit 2 Member
Codie Fortin Lalonde, Acting Business Agent and Organizer
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