SAFA Collective Agreement Negotiations Update
The SAFA Executive and Negotiations Committee has made a commitment to SAFA members to keep you informed of our progress as we negotiate the renewal of our collective agreement. It’s my intention to deliver a “bargaining update” after every session of bargaining. In the update, I’ll try to paint, in broad strokes, the flavour of the meeting and the topics discussed. However, I won’t go into specific details, or a “blow by blow” analysis (sorry for the pun).
The bargaining teams’ goal is to negotiate a renewed Collective Agreement and to sign a Memorandum of Agreement for ratification by you, the Membership of the Association. Our intention and desire is a mutually beneficial Collective Agreement will be able to be reached in a timely manner at the bargaining table.
Welcome to our first update on negotiations for the renewal of the SAFA collective agreement expiring on June 30, 2017. If there is a phrase that best describes the feelings of your Negotiations Committee going into this round of bargaining, I think it would be:
“Hopeful, but cautious”
On Friday, March 17, we met to exchange our initial bargaining proposal with SAIT. The meeting was attended by the SAFA Steering Committee (comprised of your SAFA executive and SAFA negotiations team members), SAIT’s Negotiations team (Jody Fraser, Janet Segoto, Scott MacPherson, Lisa Barrett and Brandie Yarish – alternate) along with Lyndsay Crocket who will be helping with the logistics of bargaining . Also in attendance was V.P. Academic Brad Donaldson.
The meeting began with Brad Donaldson giving an overview of how the current economy has impacted SAITs’ financial position and a glimpse of the Education Plan going forward.
The parties exchanged proposals and at the conclusion of the exchange the SAFA Executive members not directly involved with bargaining left along with Brad Donaldson and Brandie Yarish.
SAFAs’ initial proposal discussed the following topics: length of the collective agreement, professional development, long-term disability, health and wellness plan benefits, maternity / parental / adoption leave, the instructor salary schedule, the salary schedules for librarians and education counsellors, scholarly activity, academic freedom, intellectual property and fee for service instructors. We can address any other matters identified in the course of bargaining – if any arise. SAFAs’ proposal contained monetary proposals and a short rationale for each topic.
SAITs’ proposal identified the following as topics for discussion during this round of bargaining: four for five leave, Employee benefits, casual illness, attendance, return to work, modified duties, GSL, LTD, rehire retirees, performance review and workload. As well as several items that I would describe as “housekeeping” to correct typos / grammar and to ensure that the collective agreement is consistent with practice.
SAITs’ initial proposal did not contain any monetary discussion, however, SAIT had already alerted SAFA that there would be no monetary portion to their initial proposal due to the uncertainty of the Provincial Budget – the Government had only released the budget the afternoon before – and SAIT had time to finalize their own budget. So this was not a surprise.
The rest of the meeting was filled with the many small details that need to be addressed at the beginning of bargaining such as: communications, note keeping, scheduling dates and times for subsequent bargaining sessions, etc.
There was no bargaining commenced at this meeting.
SAIT has committed to presenting the monetary portion of their proposal as well as providing a more detailed discussion of the topics they had brought forward in their initial proposal.
I’m optimistic that we can conclude our negotiations at the bargaining table without having to advance to binding arbitration – as has happened so often in the past. But, having said that, I’m also realistic enough to realize we are unlikely to conclude negotiations before the end of the academic year – given the lengthy list of issues both sides have brought to the table for discussion.
As always, please feel free to stop by the SAFA office N201 in the Burns Building or contact me directly – ext 4067 – or via e-mail [email protected] if you have any questions.
In solidarity,
Al