January 30, 2008
UGFA General Meeting, University of Guelph Faculty Association
The minutes of the meeting held on January 30, 2008 in LA 204. There were 198 Members present.
- Call to order
The Meeting was called to order at 4:20 p.m. - Order of the Day
UGFA President, Professor Filson thanked everyone for attending the meeting which he stated is a very important meeting given the state of negotiations. Professor Filson stated that there is a need to be ready for everything and that it is important that the membership receive the best agreement possible at this time.Professor Winson stated the need to get additional people to serve as shift and picket captains in case of a strike. He went on to say that his committee is currently short four people, although he would prefer an additional six in total. Professor Winson asked that individuals who might be interested in picket activities to see him at the end of the meeting.
Professor Filson thanked Professor WInson for his comments and for the work he has been doing in preparing for a potential strike. He stated that a few other committees are preparing for the possibility of a strike. Professor Filson then asked Professor Carter, the Chief Negotiator, to give the membership an update.
Professor Carter stated that negotiations have been ongoing for a long time and the pace of negotiations has the team was very frustrated. He stated that the Administration kept delaying by saying that they will provide things time and again. Professor Carter stated that the negotiating team believes that the Administration is, and has been, simply wasting time which is why his team filed for conciliation last fall. He went on to say that after the vote (which authorized a strike vote) in November the Administration provided great proposals and the negotiating team believed they were getting somewhere, and remained optimistic until the last meeting. Last week, the team received nothing from the Administration. In fact, the Administration actually took things away after having agreed to them. On Monday the Administration began to change our language. For some reason the Administration had clauses that were completely opposite from what they had previously said, which made the negotiating team furious. There are only a few weeks left to get something on the table. On Monday, the negotiating team gave something away to the Administration, and they said that they wanted more. At this point, the negotiating team was the angriest they have ever been during negotiations. It appears that when no pressure is applied to the administration that their attitude is to simply to waste time and back-off. The one fact that the negotiating team is certain of is that information gets back to the Administration right away. Once the email about the urgency of this meeting was sent out, the Administrations attitude changed and we had two good days at the table. However, the Association is running out of time, and not having an end date means there is no set deadline. The only way to set an end date is to send the conciliator away. There are only five weeks remaining to make a strike a valuable tool. At some point the conciliator simply has to go.
Professor Carter continued his update and stated that the Administration has responded to all the articles they intend to with the exception of salary since it is conditional on the removal of benefits. The salary might look good right now, but they can take it right back off the table and we need to make sure this is finished by mid-March at the latest.
A question was entertained from the floor about how involved the conciliator is in the negotiations. Professor Carter explained that the conciliator does little, and in fact doesn’t really do anything. The conciliator sets the focus, helps the teams to get organized, but really doesn’t do much at all. If a no board report is filed, she could act as a mediator. The other thing that the conciliator does is that when she sits in on the negotiations the other team behaves.
A question was entertained from the floor about what does the negotiating team want. Professor Carter stated that he wants the membership to understand that he may need to send the conciliator away and he needs the support of the membership for a strike vote. He went on to say that he told the membership he would bring them the major issues that arise in negotiations. That major issue is the delaying tactics being used by the Administration. He stated that it is too difficult to say that a pay increase was offered for example, because there is too much indecision by the Administration.
A question was entertained from the floor whether the delay is intended to be able to lock out the faculty members for months and months over the summer. Professor Carter explained that the urgency seems to disappear frequently. He stated that the negotiating team needs to constantly determine if they can live with what is being proposed by the Administration. An agreement needs to be reached as soon as possible.
A member queried the implications of a strike versus a lock-out. Professor Carter stated that very strong support is essential to avoiding a strike. He went on to say that with the last two University strikes in Canada, the University chose a time that best suited their interests. A strike vote needs to take place soon to ensure that the Association is in a better position.
It was queried what advantages would be had to the conciliator acting as a mediator. Professor Carter stated that if the conciliator is sent away she could be a mediator.
A question was entertained from the floor about what advantages exist, if any, to having binding arbitration take place. Professor Carter stated that the negotiating team is not opposed to binding arbitration; however it would be unfortunate if matters like promotion & tenure as well as salary were sent to binding arbitration.
A question was entertained from the floor inquiring about any disadvantages that may exist with regards to sending the conciliator away. Professor Carter stated that the negotiating team has been very reluctant to send the conciliator away up to this point; however it is important to help set timeframes.
A member then commented that it is a ‘no-brainer’ what the Association needs to do.
There was then a lengthy discussion and the following motion was passed.
Motion:
In light of the slow progress of negotiations, that the Executive be authorized to send the conciliator away on February 4th
Schlaf/Gottlieb passed
Discussion ensued and a question was entertained from the floor about the date for holding a strike vote. Mrs. Hubers stated that a possible date for a strike vote could be Wednesday, February 13 th and that the decision has already been made to conduct votes at all satellite campuses.
Professor Filson then stated that the University has a lot to lose if a strike takes place. With enrolments being up and a narrowed deficit, the President needs to come back to Earth.
Professor Carter then stated that people need to talk to their colleagues to ensure they know what is going on with regards to a strike. He went on to say that a strike vote with 85% support means that faculty will be on strike, whereas a vote with 95% support helps to ensure a strike does not take place. For clarification of what is at issue is that the Administration is negotiating in bad faith, holding back money, and there is a real fear that we could be locked-out over the summer although this is unlikely at this point. At the end of the day the Administration needs to determine what they can move on.
A question was entertained from the floor about binding arbitration and should it be forced at this point. Professor Josephy stated that there are dangers around binding arbitration as it doesn’t really break new ground, and that it makes any new advances in negotiations very difficult.
A question was entertained from the floor about the process needed for a strike vote. Mrs. Hubers stated that individuals will be flying to Ottawa to conduct a vote at d’Alfred and Kemptville, and will then drive to other campuses to conduct the remainder of the votes. She went on to say that the main vote will entail a double envelope system and will take place in the University Centre. Two people will ensure the safety and security of the ballot boxes. A subsequent question was raised about what happens to those who can’t attend the day of the vote. Mrs. Hubers replied that similar to a general election, eligible voters will have the opportunity to vote on the day in question.
It was queried if faculty would go on strike right after a strike vote. Professor Carter stated that this tactic is used as leverage and should be viewed as a means to apply more pressure in negotiations.
Professor Filewod interjected at this point stating that he is responsible for all strike preparedness activities. He went on to say that when the Executive gives him the go-ahead, all various committees will be put into action. The committees have been established and have been working towards preparing for a strike. Fact sheets have been prepared for faculty members which will contain the answers to all the information that members would want to know about a strike.
President, Professor Filson then stated that only 300 strike participation surveys have been returned so far, and encouraged faculty members who have not sent in their forms to do so as soon as possible.
- Meeting adjourned at 5:06 p.m.