Bargaining Update – February 8
Bargaining Update: Entering a New Phase
Bargaining discussions in January have focused on complex issues such as the contingent faculty role, professional development options, benefits, and workload. At the last meeting, the SAFA team tabled a monetary proposal to counter the compensation package submitted by SAIT. After meeting four times in the new year, the SAFA and SAIT negotiating teams have mutually agreed to enter a new phase of work. The two teams will be bringing in an independent facilitator to help the teams engage constructively on these complex topics, with a goal to develop a Collective Agreement that can be brought to ratification. Bargaining will be on hiatus for the next 4 weeks while a facilitator is located, and the SAFA negotiating team will be spending this time preparing documentation and new Collective Agreement language for presentation in March.