March 27th: Update to Membership
Workload: Where We are So Far, and the Shaping of a Better One, A Work in Progress
Since many instructors are now receiving their workload for upcoming semesters, I thought this would be a good time to review the updates to workload in our newest Collective Agreement.
Basically, instructors’ workload, as Section 36 of the Collective Agreement (C.A.) specifies, consists of three parts: Classroom Management Activities (CMA), Class Contact Hours (CCH), and Professional Duties (PD). Workload is to be assigned by the Dean -or designee- and in consultation with the faculty. CCH is the only quantified element of the workload currently in our Collective Agreement. Based on past practice, the ratio of CMA:CCH is 1:1 but this has never been documented officially. Needless to mention, PD in the new C.A. replaces “assignable duties”, a phrase that was never well defined and was applied to too many activities. Complete definitions and examples of CCH, CMA, and PD can be found in the Faculty Workload Guidelines document.
The Faculty Workload Guidelines also include a complaint process that faculty can use when they and their Academic Chair do not agree on the assignment of CCH, CMA, or PD. Concerns such as the impacts of large class sizes, heavy marking or prep loads, or no offload for special work (i.e., mentoring, curriculum projects, etc.) can all be addressed through the Workload Complaint Process. The Process details and submission form are available on SAITNow. The Faculty Workload Guidelines are truly a “work in progress” and the outcomes of complaint hearings will shape future policy in this area. So please speak up when you have concerns and help SAFA set the parameters for a fair workplace!
To implement these changes in the C.A., SAFA and SAIT have jointly created 2 committees: The Faculty Workload Guidelines Committee to update and finalize the Guidelines document, and the Workload Monitoring Group to review complaints submitted by faculty and render a binding decision. As well the Group deals with workload issues at the program level to provide practical modifications for fair and consistent implementation.
More details about these committees and the workload complaint process will be discussed in the scheduled townhalls where you have the possibility to ask questions for further details and/or examples. You can also contact your SAFA rep any time to ask questions or request help to submit a workload complaint – they are always here to help!
In solidarity,
Amir Fard
SAFA Division II Representative