Remaining monetary proposal and preparing to increase pressure

Bargaining update

We had a half day of bargaining on Monday. We returned this week after tabling all of our monetary proposals in the week prior. The University was not ready to respond to any of these proposals at this session, and our discussion mainly centred on a few outstanding non-monetary proposals: Equity 3, Equity 5, Education 3, and GAA 1.

Equity 3: Information regarding deaths in the University community

The University tabled a letter that outlines a commitment to update their policies to ensure that our members are informed about the resources they can access in the event of the death of faculty or staff. Your bargaining team is glad to see that UBC is committed to making these changes, though we suggested some edits to the language in their letter so that it’s clearer and more specific: adhering to a timeline and necessarily involving your union in the process. 

Equity 5: Academic freedom

The University has said they are no longer interested in discussing our proposal around academic freedom. Movement on this proposal is likely going to require pressure outside of the bargaining table. More on that below.

Education 3: AI and Technological Change

Your bargaining team re-tabled our proposal around artificial intelligence and technological change. The University had a few questions about this proposal, but we expect a full response at a later bargaining date. 

GAA 1: Continuing GAA negotiations

We are continuing GAA negotiations. On Monday, the University tabled some language around how Article B5 - Vacations applies to GAAs. We are close to an agreement on this article, but just need to clarify some of the specific language. The aim of this proposal is to ensure that GAAs are entitled to the same ratio of vacation hours as TAs currently have. 

In the coming weeks and months, we are going to need more participation from our members. Your bargaining team has now reached a point where it is clear that some proposals, including a few of our education and equity proposals, will not be won at the bargaining table alone – members looking to secure these proposals will need to prepare to exert pressure on the University in other ways. We will have opportunities to collectively discuss this at some Bargaining Action Meetings (BAMs!) to be announced SOON!