Report Back – Fifth Bargaining Meeting with the Employer on December 14th (Noon)

On Monday, December 14th, the CUPE 3903 Bargaining Team met with the Employer. The Bargaining Team would like to thank members in the room for attending as observers, as per our open bargaining practice.

The following items were discussed at the bargaining meeting.

Employer Clarification

The Employer began by clarifying that their comments about the CUPE 3903 extension framework, made at the last meeting on December 9th, should not be construed as meaning that they do not consider CUPE 3903’s counter proposal to be an extension framework. Instead, they conveyed that their comments were simply an observation that the CUPE 3903 extension framework is longer than what the Employer had proposed, and that they are pleased that both the Employer and CUPE 3903 are seeking a more focused bargaining process in the same spirit.

CUPE 3903 Extension Framework (continued)

The CUPE 3903 Bargaining Team continued presenting the CUPE 3903 extension framework, first introduced on December 9. Proposals specific to Units 1 and 2, and a few remaining proposals relating to all units were presented. The updated extension framework can be viewed here. Proposals presented today dealt with issues such as: deadlines, equity hiring, job security and stability, and gender-based violence. Numerous proposals relating to the concerns of the Unit 2 members in Nursing were presented, including: a definition for clinical course directors, workload concerns, and job security. Unit 2 representatives introduced Albertyn appointments as a model for job security and retirement for long-serving members. Such appointments reflect the suggestions of Chris Albertyn following consultation with both the Employer and the Union. Unit 1 representatives presented proposals that would include the fellowship model in the Collective Agreement and ensure a more equitable distribution of ticketed Course Director positions. The Bargaining Team ended the presentations by reiterating that the CUPE 3903 Extension Framework is a more concise and pared-down package than is typical, and addresses the same priorities that the Employer had identified in their own extension framework.

After the presentations, the Employer caucused. When the employer returned, they asked a few clarifying questions. Shortly after, the meeting adjourned at 2:30pm

Next Meetings

All Bargaining Team meetings are open to members. The Bargaining Team would like to encourage all members to attend the numerous meetings we have scheduled for December.

December 17, 1:00PM – Bargaining Meeting with the Employer
December 18, 11:00AM – Bargaining Team Meeting
December 22, 11:00AM – Bargaining Meeting with the Employer

Please register in advance to attend bargaining meetings with the Employer here.
The Zoom link for the bargaining team meeting can be found here.