NASA Bargaining Update

The university and NASA made encouraging progress on many items during the winter and spring bargaining sessions.

Collective bargaining between the University of Alberta and NASA began on February 20, 2024 with an exchange of opening proposals. To date the parties have undertaken 17 bargaining sessions with the last scheduled meeting being June 25. The June 26 meeting was cancelled by agreement of both parties. It has been agreed by the parties to pause negotiations for the summer months and return to the negotiating table in September.

The negotiating sessions and communications with NASA to date have been collegial and the progress made has been encouraging. The university thanks both bargaining teams for their commitment as we work towards a renewal collective agreement.

In its opening proposal, the university expressed several principles behind its intent for bargaining. Some of the university’s key opening proposals reflective of those interests include:

• Compensation which remains competitive within the sector
• Enhancements to the health, safety and security of employees
• Streamlining, simplifying and clarifying processes
• Enhancing academic and operational efficiencies

Progress so far

Following the exchange of proposals on February 20 the parties have focused discussion on the non-monetary aspects of the agreement as is a common practice. Progress has been made on many of these articles, including:

• Making accountability more robust for both employees and supervisors in health and safety provisions
• Language removing ambiguity of the obligations of each party in the duty to accommodate process
• Increased recognition of the diverse experiences of our community in references to leave
• Removing barriers to the process of addressing harassment and discrimination issues

Monetary and compensation proposals

The parties have now each put forward their opening monetary proposals, including compensation. As is common practice in negotiations, it is anticipated that the discussion of monetary proposals will follow the conclusion of discussions on non-monetary items when the parties return to the table in the fall. The university’s opening proposal included a four-year term with across-the-board wage increases in each year consistent with sectoral norms: 2 per cent in the first two years, followed by 1.75 percent in the next two years (7.5 per cent in total over four years). NASA’s opening proposal included a two-year term with an across-the-board wage increase of 15 per cent in the first year, followed by another 8 per cent in the second year. NASA’s monetary proposal also included enhancements to multiple other compensation items.

Essential Service Agreement negotiations

NASA and the university have met six times to negotiate an Essential Services Agreement (ESA). These negotiations occur concurrently, but independent of, collective bargaining.

At any time in collective bargaining, the parties may negotiate essential services that would continue to be performed by unionized employees in the event of a work stoppage. Essential services are those that if interrupted would endanger the life, personal safety or health of the public, or that are necessary to maintain and administer the rule of law and public security. Similar to last round, the university will share the agreement as soon as it is reached. Learn more about ESAs and the U of A collective bargaining process at the Collective Bargaining FAQ page.

Pause for the summer

Although the current collective agreement between the university and NASA expired on March 31, the terms continue to apply in accordance with the Labour Relations Code. It is common for negotiations to continue beyond the end date of a collective agreement as the representative bargaining committees work together towards a renewal agreement. University activities, including learning, research, teaching and other work continue as usual.

While the collective bargaining process can take many months to successfully complete, the university is encouraged by the progress made so far in discussions with NASA. We look forward to resuming negotiations in the fall and to reaching an agreement that encourages the long-term sustainability and growth of the university and an environment where our people can flourish and succeed.

The weekly bargaining community updates will pause for the summer months while negotiations are on hiatus.

Useful resources:

• Collective Bargaining Frequently Asked Questions
• Learn about collective bargaining processes at the U of A and how agreements are reached
• How to find more information on U of A bargaining