The staff at the York University Faculty Association (YUFA), represented by CUPE 1281, are mere days away from a strike deadline. Conciliation is ongoing, but the union has serious concerns about how seriously the employer is taking negotiations, given that they have yet to table their monetary proposals and are planning to hold an event at the same time as conciliation.
Divided Attention
The union and employer are scheduled to meet with the government-appointed conciliator on October 22nd. On the same day, YUFA Executive officers announced an online public drop-in meeting with YUFA members to publicly discuss their bargaining with CUPE 1281.
Scheduling this event during conciliation shows a troubling lack of focus. Time is running out to bargain a fair deal; both parties need to be at the table with their full commitment.
Monetary Proposals Not Yet Tabled
After months of bargaining, the employer has yet to present any monetary proposals. They have maintained “reserves”, i.e. the right to present proposals at a later date, on the parts of the collective agreement that deal with monetary issues, including wages. While it is common for employers to reserve monetary proposals in the early stages of bargaining, it is both unusual and counterproductive to keep reserves on monetary items at such a late stage in the bargaining process.
On the previous conciliation date of October 7th, CUPE 1281 provided another full proposal package which highlighted the union’s key proposals of improved protections against harassment and discrimination in the workplace, resisting managerial bloat and union busting, along with improving job security and layoff provisions.
CUPE 1281 is still waiting for the employer’s response to the union’s latest comprehensive proposal package.
Strike Position as of October 27th
Both the employer’s divided attention and their lack of engagement with monetary and union proposals are particularly worrisome given that the staff at YUFA will be in a legal strike position as of October 27th.
A “no board” report was filed by the Ministry of Labour on October 9th. After a 17-day waiting period, the union is in a legal position to walk off the job if negotiations remain stalled.
Despite how far apart the parties remain in bargaining, CUPE 1281 remains committed and focused. We will use the day of conciliation on October 22nd as productively as possible. CUPE 1281 believes that a fair settlement can be reached and a strike averted. We call on the YUFA Executive to show the same commitment on this last scheduled day of talks before October 27th.
Sign this e-action now and urge the YUFA Executive to settle a fair and equitable contract without union-busting concessions.