Dear colleagues,
It is with profound frustration that I report to you informal mediation has failed.
AASUA arrived at mediation on Tuesday morning ready to fully engage in good faith negotiations and to fulfill our legal obligation under Alberta’s Labour Relations Code to make all reasonable efforts to reach an agreement. However, it became clear over these last three days that the Employer was not prepared, nor were their representatives authorized, to do the same. It was not until talks broke off this afternoon that the Employer hastily tabled a made-for-rejection offer, marginally increasing their last offer (by only extending the 3%, 3%, 2%, 2% across-the-board [ATB] increase to all Constituencies, but still resulting in cuts to our benefits and the Academic Supplementary Retirement Plan, as well as maintaining the two-tier salary scale for Academic Teaching Staff), presumably to avoid a bad faith complaint to the Labour Board.
What is most disappointing is the apparent lack of respect, if not contempt, that the Employer has conveyed towards AASUA’s membership, and their disregard for our contributions to this university’s world-class reputation for research, teaching and learning. We refuse to bargain with ourselves. We will continue to demand respect for our members, for this process, and for a fair contract. It is disheartening as we can easily see that the Board’s current behaviour is damaging not only to their long-term relationship with the academic staff at this university, but also to the University of Alberta’s national and international reputation. Their choices will leave lingering effects.
While we remain committed to the collective bargaining process, we want to ensure that the next time we come to the table, the Employer is similarly committed to reaching a fair agreement.
What happens next
AASUA is going to take some time to consider all of our options. This may include legal options, and, as a legally mandated next step in the process, filing for formal mediation. That process takes some time, as it requires that a mediator be appointed, as well as requiring the parties to attempt to come to an agreement for a minimum duration of 14 days. In the interim, we will continue to communicate with the membership at every opportunity, monitor the status of negotiations within the broader provincial public sector, and engage with you. We have conveyed our reaction to the Board of Governors’ approach to informal mediation back to the Board, and we will return to the table when the Board is serious about concluding the next Collective Agreement and demonstrating that they are prepared to approach the Academic Staff of our university respectfully.
We are still some time away from a strike vote and by extension the possibility of strike, but it ultimately may be necessary to use this tool to reach a deal that honours the world-class education and research we deliver. Rest assured, we will continue to communicate frequently with you at every step.
As I have been saying throughout negotiations, the era of concessions is over. We must show our collective resolve and commitment to achieving a fair deal for all of us to the Board. After all, we are ALL the University of Alberta.
Sincerely,
Gordon Swaters
AASUA President