YUFA is currently involved in a round of collective bargaining with our eight staff members, represented by CUPE 1281. The union (1281) has applied for conciliation, a formal, mandatory step in collective bargaining where a government-appointed conciliation officer is made available to assist a union and an employer to reach a collective agreement. The union (1281) and the employer (YUFA) are scheduled to meet with the conciliator starting on October 3.
While we prefer not to bargain publicly, we do wish, very briefly, to respond to claims 1281 has recently disseminated to our members via email, social media and print. A longer summary of our position, circulated on September 22, is posted on the YUFA website here.
First, there is no “union busting” taking place.
Second, the 1281 claim that we are involved in “top-down restructuring” is incorrect. We intend to hire an Executive Director, as is customary for faculty associations of our size (and indeed, most unions). We have actively been soliciting 1281’s participation in the design, implementation and hiring process for an Executive Director and an in-house lawyer. Engaging staff in this has been our single primary goal for the current round of bargaining.
Third, we bargain in good faith. Our proposals in no way constitute an attack on the union or the rights of staff members. YUFA staff are handsomely compensated for the good work that they do. They have excellent benefits and a generous retirement package. They have full political autonomy. The 1281 collective agreement enshrines all sorts of health and safety protections. None of this is under threat.
Fourth, some of 1281’s proposals would severely hinder our efforts to defend our members’ rights as workers, thinkers, educators, researchers, and citizens; we are dedicated to promoting academic freedom, which is increasingly under threat these days. 1281 has made proposals that would contribute to a political environment that is hostile to academic freedom.
YUFA’s bargaining team (Ena Dua, Merouan Mekouar, Gertrude Mianda, Ellie Perkins, Art Redding, and Anna Zalik) is our most diverse ever. We hope that we will be able to resolve our differences with 1281 soon, with the help of the conciliator. We want a negotiated agreement that satisfies both sides and continues to respect the rights of our staff and the excellent work that they do. We will not sacrifice the interests of YUFA members or the future of our union.