We (your elected Bargaining Team) had our first meeting with the conciliator present on Tuesday, February 28 and requested a “no board”–starting the countdown to legal job action. Although it’s still unclear if there will be a strike or lockout, this countdown means that we’ll be in a position for job action by March 24, 2023. (Keep an eye on your inbox for more information in the coming days).
We have all-day Conciliation meetings Tuesday, March 7 and Wednesday 8. Expect another Bargaining Update near the end of the week.
While we have made some progress on outstanding Articles (some good news below), the issues that mean the most to you and your colleagues have not been meaningfully addressed by the employer:
- Intellectual Property
- TA-Student Ratios
The employer has still not engaged with our proposal on TA-Student Ratios (guaranteed course support) and enrolment caps based on course/assessment types;
TA-Student Ratios would not only improve the ability of CIs and TAs to engage meaningfully with students’ and their coursework but also improve the overall quality of education for students;
We’ve seen enrolment numbers balloon since the start of the Pandemic without adequate support,or consultation.
- Salary
While we’re still fighting for the issues above, we did secure some wins based on your priorities:
- Incumbency
- Grievances
- Accommodations
This new Article provides an avenue for Union support throughout the Accommodations process;
Over the past Summer, we worked closely with the Disability and Accessibility Caucus to develop a proposal for the provision of an accommodation system that aims to remove some of the hardship and bias associated with the current process.
While we didn’t get everything we wanted, this is a significant improvement and sends a clear message to the Membership, the employer, and the larger community that CUPE 4600 will fight for inclusion and accessibility.
You and your colleagues are facing record high inflation and cost of living, and have taken year-over-year pay cuts when adjusted for inflation. CUPE 4600 is the largest group of workers on campus. Carleton works because you and your colleagues do. You deserve working conditions, wages, and benefits that reflect that. You deserve wages and benefits that aren’t a poverty sentence.
Stay tuned!
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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