Bargaining Update
SAFA and SAIT have made meaningful progress in collective bargaining, despite a slower pace in the last couple of months. The parties have agreed to and signed off on several small proposals, and SAFA has also provided significant counterproposals on a few SAIT submissions. Although it appears that we are moving slowly, my discussions with other post-secondary faculty associations confirm we are actually making more progress at the bargaining table than most.
Both sides have now agreed to put bargaining on hold until the new year but are committed to meeting more often in 2025. Additionally, SAIT has committed to giving SAFA a presentation on its “big ask” of changing your hours (7am – 10pm) and days of work (7 days a week) once negotiations resume.
For now, we will continue to keep our eye on the major public sector entities that are currently at the bargaining table, most notably United Nurses (UNA) and AUPE. Neither are close to an agreement at this point. These unions often set precedents that can impact negotiations, particularly in areas like wages.
A further complication to bargaining is the Government of Alberta’s recent decision to commission a study on post-secondary institution financing, as a result of a decrease in international student enrolment across the province. The results of this study could impact monetary discussions during future bargaining sessions.
Finally, Athabasca University Faculty Association recently filed an unfair bargaining complaint with the Alberta Labour Relations Board regarding Athabasca University’s refusal to discuss monetary proposals on day one of bargaining. The decision, expected after a December 2 hearing, could change SAFA’s strategy when we return to the bargaining table.
Things will begin to move at a greater pace in the new year, as both parties are committed to making this happen. I encourage members to stay engaged, informed, and ready to support the bargaining process as updates become available.
In Solidarity,
Craig Coolahan
SAFA Labour Relations Officer