Dear Colleagues,
To date, the Negotiating Team has had three bargaining sessions with the Employer since exchanging opening proposals. The sessions have been high-level and have focused on addressing common interests of both AASUA and the Employer.
There has been positive movement on reducing the amount of time spent on reporting and evaluation, such as with Faculty Evaluation Committees (FEC). Whereas in the past, the Employer has been opposed to AASUA’s proposals to amend the evaluation process, this time there is mutual interest in reducing the workload associated with evaluation.
AASUA is also working on negotiating a work stoppage agreement with the Employer. AASUA is hopeful both parties can reach an agreement that minimizes long-term damage to relationships between academic staff and university administration should last measures such as a lockout or strike be used in the negotiations process. Both AASUA and the Employer have exchanged initial proposals for this agreement.
Our next meeting with the Employer is scheduled for May 23. Please stay tuned for further updates on bargaining, as well as “Bargaining Breakdowns” exploring AASUA’s key bargaining goals in the coming weeks.
Sincerely,
Gordon Swaters
AASUA President