AASUA Bargaining Update
27 June 2024
The university and AASUA have discussed workload and the faculty evaluation process during winter and spring bargaining sessions.
Key points:
- The U of A and AASUA have undertaken eight sessions of bargaining including the exchange of proposals, and will take a hiatus for July and August
- The university is encouraged by the progress made so far including discussions on reducing administrative burden in the evaluation process and the potential for a joint exploration of workload concerns
- It is anticipated that the parties will begin discussing monetary items in the fall, once they have concluded discussions on the non-monetary items
- With negotiations still in early stages, the university and AASUA bargaining committees have many items to discuss when they return to the table in September
Collective bargaining between the University of Alberta and AASUA began on March 5 with an exchange of opening proposals. To date, the parties have undertaken eight sessions of bargaining with the last meeting on June 26. The university would like to thank both bargaining teams for their commitment and professionalism in negotiations. The bargaining committees have agreed to take a hiatus for July and August, and return to the table in September.
In its opening proposal, the university expressed several principles guiding bargaining conversations, including:
- The importance of the interests of students, faculty, staff, and all internal and external partners within the university community and that they will be considered
- The long-term sustainability and growth of the university and our collective research and teaching pursuits
Progress to date
Discussions have been measured and foundational so far between the two parties. While it is still early stages in negotiations, the teams have discussed areas such as moving from annual to biennial faculty evaluations, thus reducing administrative work for members and the potential for joint exploration of workload concerns and enhancing a healthy work-life balance.
On compensation
Both parties included compensation proposals within their initial exchange on March 5; however, the parties have yet to touch on compensation at the bargaining table. 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 for the four years). AASUA’s opening proposal included a one-year term with an across-the-board wage increase of 17 per cent, in addition to other compensation items. It is anticipated by the parties that they will begin discussing the current gap between their proposed monetary items in the fall, once they have made their way through discussions on non-monetary items.
Essential service agreement negotiations
The university and AASUA are also currently negotiating an essential service agreement (ESA). These negotiations occur concurrently, but independent of, collective bargaining negotiations.
As desired and at any time, the parties may negotiate an agreement on the 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.
Discussions about work stoppage
Public messages by AASUA have prompted questions and concern amongst some university faculty and staff members about strike possibilities. The Collective Bargaining FAQ page includes useful general information on strike and work stoppage considerations in bargaining as was shared with the community during the last bargaining round.
As noted above the parties are still in early stages of negotiations. The parties have not reached an impasse and a work stoppage is not imminent. Previous rounds of bargaining between AASUA and the university for example took well over a year to complete from the opening of negotiations to successfully reaching a renewal collective agreement - and without a work stoppage.
Until the fall
The university greatly values your patience and attention on bargaining matters during these busy university days. This fall, there is still much to be discussed at the bargaining table. The university bargaining committee is looking forward to working with AASUA’s bargaining committee to find the best fit forward for the growth and well-being of the U of A community and our collective research and teaching pursuits.
Mirroring the bargaining table’s meeting schedule, the regular U of A bargaining community updates will also go on hiatus for July and August.