Local 071/006 applies for mediation
On Nov. 8, AUPE Local 071 Chapter 006 applied for mediation in collective bargaining with the Alberta College of Art and Design, after the employer inexplicably backtracked on offers it had tabled.
This came after seven days of negotiations on Aug. 22, Sept. 12 and 13, Oct. 11 and 12, and Nov. 3 and 4.
On Oct. 11 the employer tabled a comprehensive counter proposal package that led the Chapter 006 bargaining team to believe both sides were progressing toward a tentative agreement. The package included, among other things, a Wellness Spending Account, pay increases in each year of a three-year collective agreement, increases to the Health Spending Account and increases to shift differentials and weekend premiums.
There were several outstanding issues yet to be worked out, including provisions for medical and dental appointments, layoff, recall, position abolishment and severance.
On Nov. 3 it appeared that progress was being made to narrow the gap on the outstanding issues.
But on Nov. 4, the employer abruptly moved backwards, withdrawing offers on some items, reducing monetary amounts from its own prior offers and wanting to shift monetary provisions to the back end of the contract. The net result was a reduction in total dollars offered in the first and second years and “back-end loading” the third year.
The Chapter 006 bargaining committee told the employer that to consider a three-year collective agreement, the employer had to offer sufficient monetary provisions and substantial job protection language. The employer’s latest offer failed to deliver either of these.
Based on the lack of progress and the regression in the employer’s monetary position, the bargaining committee told the employer that a mediator was needed to get negotiations back on track.
A more detailed bargaining update is being mailed to all members of Local 071 Chapter 006.