Strikes still a possibility
Negotiations, strikes, and lockouts are just some of the terms floating around campus as three workers’ unions are in the process of negotiating their contracts.
While one Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has been able to come to an agreement with the University, two other unions on campus are still in the midst of the collective bargaining process. With work disruptions looming, these negotiations are likely to impact students, faculty, and non-academic workers alike.
CUPE 3913
After the threat of a strike over Reading Week, CUPE 3913, the union representing teaching assistants and sessional lecturers, has come to a tentative agreement with the University.
“With the assistance of a Ministry-appointed mediator, we were able to reach an agreement on the evening of Feb. 25, thereby avoiding a labour disruption,” Tracey Jandrisits told The Ontarion via email.
Jandrisits, the chair of the University’s negotiating team, also added that, “We are pleased with the outcome of bargaining as we feel it represents a good agreement for both parties and as we were able to avoid any negative impacts that a strike might have had on our students and our community.”
It is expected that this agreement will be ratified sometime during the week of March 6.
Due to the tentative nature of this agreement, a representative from CUPE 3913 was unable to comment on the negotiations at this time.
CUPE 1281
CUPE 1281 is a union that represents over 300 workers in locations from Manitoba to Newfoundland. At the University of Guelph, CUPE 1281 represents individuals working for the Guelph Resource Centre for Gender Empowerment and Diversity, the Ontario Public Interest Research Group Guelph, and the teaching assistants’ and sessionals’ union, CUPE 3913.
CUPE 1281 only has one staff member, Manuel Marqués, who is responsible for representing teaching assistants and sessionals in disciplinary hearings, formal complaints, as well as at the bargaining table with the University.
Marqués explained to The Ontarion that, “Just as 3913 is negotiating their collective agreement with Guelph, 1281, my union, is negotiating the collective agreement that governs the relationship between 3913 and their employees.”
On Feb. 15, CUPE 3913 president Ashley Wilson implemented a lockout, Marqués explained, noting that he was unable to fulfill his duties during negotiations.
According to Marqués, 3913 lifted the lockout as of Feb. 24 and agreed to come back to the table on March 2 and March 3.
Wilson was unable to comment at the time of publication.
CUPE 1334
The University of Guelph and CUPE 1334 were most recently at the bargaining table on Feb. 16 and 17, but no agreements have been announced at this time.
According to a news update from CUPE 1334, “The workers’ main areas of concern are the contracting out of their work, along with maintaining good jobs and job security into the future.”
The union requested the Ministry of Labour issue a “No Board” report. Based on this update, if an agreement is not reached by the deadline set out by the Ministry, a strike or lockout could take place in mid-March.
In an update on Feb. 16, a University news bulletin stated, “The University remains hopeful that the parties are able to identify mutually acceptable solutions to address these challenges, and that a renewal agreement can be achieved.”
Photo by Heather Gilmore.
[Update: A statement from CUPE 3913 regarding their bargaining with CUPE 1281 can be found here]