ESA filed by Labour Relations Board; parties agree to pause communications during mediation next week

Essential Services Agreement (ESA) accepted and filed by Alberta Labour Relations Board (ALRB)

• The ESA is now publicly available via a link on the ALRB’s Essential Services page.
• As noted in previous updates, the ESA was agreed to by both parties through negotiations.
• The agreement specifies critical services that would continue in the event of a legal work stoppage (strike or lockout) by AASUA members.
• All other work not specified in the ESA would stop.

Research stops in the event of an AASUA work stoppage

While not a requirement of an ESA, the university and AASUA jointly recognized the need, and agreed to the terms, criteria, and process for identification, for a list of research at risk of irreparable damage that would be allowed to continue during a work stoppage. The university carefully considered applications through the agreed-to criteria and process, and the list has been accepted and included as part of the ESA.

The university recognizes the potential risks and impacts that would result from a legal work stoppage initiated by AASUA, and would be required to protect safety and property, mitigating impacts as possible. This would include cessation of access to university property and lab space, and taking steps to ensure that animal welfare and sensitive equipment and resources not covered in the research at risk list would be maintained to the extent possible. Given the potential impacts, the university maintains that it is in the best interest of the community to achieve a renewed collective agreement through negotiations, avoiding a legal work stoppage.

More information on ESAs, the Research at Risk of Irreparable Damage list, and their roles in collective bargaining can be found at the Bargaining FAQs page.

Communications pause during informal mediation

AASUA and the university have agreed to pause communicating updates while the parties engage in informal mediation March 25 - 27. Bargaining updates will resume following informal mediation.

The university thanks AASUA for its work in negotiating the essential services agreement and Research at Risk of Irreparable Damage list. These productive discussions are an example of how the parties can work together to achieve a renewed collective agreement through negotiation. 

Useful resources:

• Bargaining Frequently Asked Questions
• Learn about collective bargaining at the U of A
• Joint communication to researchers on Research at Risk of Irreparable Damage