UBC's package did not address our priorities. We filed for mediation.

Over the past year, your negotiating committee has been working to identify members’ priorities and key issues throughout the bargaining process. After a record turnout membership meeting in June, the negotiating committee moved forward in bargaining for the most important issues for CUPE 2278 members.

At the most recent bargaining session, UBC presented a comprehensive package that addressed some of the priorities identified by members but still did not make meaningful progress on several key issues for CUPE 2278 members, even after we showed UBC how our proposals address the financial constraints set by the provincial government. Your negotiating committee believes that the following issues need to be resolved before an agreement can be reached:

·   Employer-paid healthcare

·   Wages

·   Ending minimum funding clawbacks

·   Workload and class sizes

·   Paid breaks for workers at the Centre for Accessibility

·   Protections for academic freedom

As we were unable to reach an agreement through bargaining, the negotiating committee has applied for non-binding mediation through the Labour Relations Board. This process will appoint a third-party mediator to bring both sides closer to a negotiated agreement.

Mediation is an important step that we can take to try to win a fair contract to avoid needing to escalate towards possible job action (i.e., strike). We will continue working to reach a fair agreement and will provide updates as bargaining and mediation progress.