I’ve served on the Bargaining Team (BT) twice, once in a non-strike year and once in a strike year. Both times it was an amazing learning experience that has shaped me personally and professionally! There were times of stress, frustration and sometimes long hours but overall I’m glad I had the chance to be part of the BT.
The first time I served on a BT I was a new Unit 1. I joined the BT on the first day of my first term at York as a Unit 1, after a friend recruited me at a party a few weeks before. I had no idea what to expect or what I was doing, I just knew that I wanted to support my new union. I had no knowledge of the CA and no bargaining experience, but that didn’t matter – it turns out I didn’t actually need that! My more experienced colleagues and the 3903 staff were an incredible support system, and I learned on the fly.
It is nowhere near as daunting as it may at first seem. It is, in fact, a great experience. You also pick up a ton of practical labour relations knowledge. Being at the bargaining table and working in collaboration with BT members from other Units means you get to know your own contracts and those of the other units inside out. That is helpful for anyone, but I found it particularly useful when I transitioned from Unit 1 to Unit 2.
The work can be difficult, and incredibly challenging at times, but it’s important and it has a concrete impact on your working conditions and the working conditions of thousands of your co-workers for years. Plus you get paid. You should try it!
– Julian Arend (Unit 2), Grievance Officer