Exclusive quadruples no more
Last Monday we were back at the bargaining table yet again! Read on below for details of each of the items we discussed:
Procedural Proposals:
Procedural 1: Definition of a Full TA Position
Status: GREENSHEET!
We signed off on Procedural 1 (changes to Article B 4.01 hours of work). We now have a coherent definition of full TA that reflects the four-month semester schedule that UBC uses.. We were also successful in eliminating confusing language like “exclusive quadruples”! These changes will help members and their departments be clear on when appointments should start and end, and what a “full TA” position actually means.
Procedural 4: Job Postings and Procedural 6: Preference Continuation
Status: Preparing Response
We heard back from the employer on Article B 3 (3.01, 3.02, 3.03), on Preference Continuation (Procedural 6), Job Postings (Procedural 4), and Job selection notification (postings have anticipated timeline of offers). While the employer did not agree to a centralized job posting location right away, we are talking about a Letter of Agreement (LOA) in which the employer would explore a centralized website throughout the duration of contract. We are continuing to work on finalizing the outstanding parts of this proposal.
Equity Proposals:
Equity 3: Information Regarding Deaths in the University Community and Bereavement Expansion
Status: Awaiting formal reply
Last time we discussed this proposal, the employer pointed us to an HR policy that outlines the process that the employer follows when a member of the university community passes away. Many of the items central to our proposal were not mentioned in this policy, specifically around notifying members about CUPE 2278 specific bereavement leave allocations and the Health, Wellbeing and Hardship Fund. We communicated this to the employer. Additionally, a steward joining us at the bargaining table spoke to the importance of this policy
Status: Awaiting formal reply
Last time we discussed this proposal, the employer responded by striking our proposed academic freedom language under the article regarding discipline (A 10) and added a reference to the UBC Senate Policy on academic freedom under Article B 1 (the article that outlines our protection from academic harm). We clarified that academic freedom is integral to the faculty association collective agreement, and that our intention with this proposal is to ensure that CUPE 2278 members are not disciplined in their employment relationship with the university for exercising their academic freedom. We are awaiting a formal response.
Education Proposals:
Education 1: Improving Training:
Status: Preparing Response
We heard back from the employer on our proposal for improving training. The employer doesn’t want to impose training requirements on departments. Additionally, they clarified that all required training, including workday modules, should be paid. We’re preparing a response on this proposal
Education 2: Class Size to TA Hours Ratio
Status: Awaiting formal reply
We addressed some questions from the employer about our proposal on class size to TA hours ratio. We will continue to discuss this proposal in upcoming bargaining sessions.
What’s next?
We return to the bargaining table on March 3rd. Stay tuned for updates!