Your bargaining team headed to the table this week, meeting with the employer from June 17-19. As we close out our first stretch of bargaining dates, the union has tabled all our proposals – monetary and non-monetary.
The employer also tabled their own opening passes this week – and this round is unlike anything we’ve been part of before. From day one, our work has aimed at improving conditions for our membership. The employer, on the other hand, is seeking concessions which will set us back years.
| Our proposals aim to… | The employer’s proposals… |
| Strengthen job security language;
Protect our work – from managers, from contracting out, and from artificial intelligence. |
Weaken our job security by expediting the lay-off process;
Remove language mandating the employer to provide data regarding lay-offs on our campuses. |
| Secure better wages (including shift premiums, on-call rates, and pay bands), and fill vacancies promptly.
General wage increase:
|
Make it more difficult for us to use the grievance process when we feel we’re not being paid what we’re worth.
|
| Secure improved benefits (dental, vision, hearing, prescription, fertility coverage & gender affirmation care). | Double the on-call time cap from 128 hours a month to 256 hours a month – encroaching on members’ personal time and ability to have a real day off. |
We sit across from an employer that opens bargaining by instructing us – not negotiating with us – that our vacation entitlement is fair game for roll-backs, with a “use it or lose it” approach to carry-over time.
We knew going into this round that it would be difficult. But the human cost of even considering concessions that will erode the wins and protections we have fought for over the years is far too high.
If we sit back and do nothing, the heartbreak will only accumulate.
We cannot afford inaction – and we strongly encourage all members to attend our first virtual bargaining Town Hall on Monday, the first of many over this summer.
The team will present a full briefing as we transparently discuss what’s at stake, and what we’re going to do about it:
Register below for the Zoom meeting:
Monday, June 23rd – 12 p.m.
Monday, June 23rd – 5 p.m.
There are serious questions about the fight before us that we can only answer together. And it is absolutely critical that you make your voice heard during this process.
It is the only way forward – we hope to see you Monday!
Solidarity,
Your College Support Full-Time Bargaining Team:
Christine Kelsey, Local 416 (Chair)
Shelley Gartshore, Local 124 (Vice-Chair)
Veronica Attard, Local 416
Dan Brisson, Local 672
Bob Holder, Local 243
Dana Leaman, Local 241
Xiaoyan Wang, Local 561