Dear colleagues,

As you know, your negotiating team is headed into formal mediation with the Employer on September 4. Our team is working hard for us, but to get a fair deal they need to know that you have their backs. Support from the membership is critical if we want to help our negotiating team:

Your negotiating team is working hard, but they can’t do it alone. Here are three ways you can help them in their work to get a fair deal for all of us:

  1. Print off and display an “I support my bargaining team” poster in your workplace.
  2. Engage your colleagues in a conversation about bargaining. Strike up a conversation with your colleagues about the potential outcomes of formal mediation. Do they know AASUA is headed to formal mediation September 4, and what’s at stake if the Employer refuses to move towards a fair deal for academic staff? Have they reviewed our negotiations and job action FAQs?
  3. Become a network mobilizer. Take five minutes to become a network mobilizer by following the instructions below

What is a network mobilizer?

While many AASUA members stay up to date with bargaining, some members may be out of the loop — especially those who went off contract over the summer. That’s why over the past few weeks, AASUA members have taken five minutes to map their network, becoming network mobilizers. 


 
Network mobilizers help communicate important information about where we are in negotiations to a small network of their colleagues, localizing the conversation to ensure that no one is left out, and everyone fully understands what is happening — especially if the Employer remains intransigent and refuses to make reasonable decisions in mediation. 

Take five minutes to map your network (this can be colleagues you text with regularly, those you see frequently because their office is close by, etc.) If you have any questions about mapping, please reach out to our staff here.

Let’s ensure no fellow members are left behind when it comes to staying in the loop about bargaining. Especially now — when fair compensation and our benefits are at stake. 

Sincerely, 

Gordon Swaters
AASUA President