CUPE 3287- Agreed to Language
May 2011 - Collective Bargaining Update CUPE 3287
We are pleased to announce that at approximately 9:00 pm on Thursday, May 12, 2011 the University of Saskatchewan and CUPE Local 3287 reached a tentative agreement. This tentative agreement is subject to ratification by the parties. Details of the agreement will follow in the coming weeks.
Now that the details have been finalized, the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Saskatchewan Faculty Association are pleased to announce that on June 22, 2010 we reached a 3-year tentative agreement. This tentative agreement is subject to ratification by the parties.
CUPE 1975 2010-2012 Collective Agreement
Agreed to Language
CUPE 1975 Wage Ranges
FAPA Wage Ranges
We are pleased to inform you that on May 3, 2010 members of CUPE Local 1975 voted 90% in favour of ratifying the recently negotiated tentative collective agreement.
We are plaeased to announce that at approximately 9:00 pm on Wednesday, April 14, 2010 the University of Saskatchewan and CUPE Local 1975 reached a tentative agreement. To view the highlights of the tentative agreement, please click here
April 14 , 2009 - Updated ASPA Salary Ranges
February 13, 2009 - Faculty Bargaining Update
The University of Saskatchewan and the University of Saskatchewan Faculty Association have reached a tentative agreement, subject to ratification, to extend the current collective agreement to June 30, 2010.
This tentative agreement was reached after two weeks of principled and positive negotiation. The parties recognize the need for competitive salaries and benefits in the context of institutional needs and financial challenges.
Memorandum of Agreement (Tentative Agreement)
December 12, 2008 - ASPA Vote Results
Following voting conducted on December 11, 2008, members of the Administrative and Supervisory Personnel Association (ASPA) have voted in favour of accepting the latest Offer to Settle from the University of Saskatchewan (U of S).
The Offer to Settle was accepted and ratified by the University of Saskatchewan Board of Governors on December 12, 2008, and will now form the basis of a Collective Agreement.
Some of the highlights of the accepted offer include:
Thank you to the ASPA members and their leadership, to the bargaining teams, and to all involved, for the commitment and dedication shown to reaching an agreement.
December 1 , 2008 - ASPA Bargaining
Please see the links below for a joint communication from the Bargaining Committees for ASPA and the University, and the University's proposed Offer to Settle.
Joint Communication from ASPA and the University
University's proposed Offer to Settle - November 25, 2008
Agreed Language as of June 26, 2008
As you will recall, the CUPE Local 1975 strike of 2007 was settled in December 2007 when an agreement was reached except for two issues which were referred to interest arbitration. We are now in receipt of the recommendations of arbitrator Andrew Sims, QC. His recommendations are positive for the University, as they are in keeping with the principles we articulated before and during the strike. We feel that these findings support the strategic directions of the University, reflect the substance and spirit of what the University offered CUPE during bargaining and provide a fair and reasonable conclusion to this process.
The two key issues which could not be resolved through negotiation and conciliation in late 2007 were employee benefits and performance-related increments:
Employee Benefits
Performance-Related Increments
Arbitrator Sims found that the University’s proposal on employee benefits re-alignment was very close to the union’s position. He encouraged the parties to find their own solution, which they did. He then directed the parties to conclude a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). That MOA has been concluded and the provisions are effective December 1, 2008.
With respect to performance-related increments, arbitrator Sims recommended that the language contested by CUPE (Article 11.3) would remain in the collective agreement, subject to a provision where a withheld increment could be reinstated - without retroactivity - in the event subsequent performance improved to become satisfactory. He then worked with the University and CUPE to mediate a resolution. The outcome is a (non-grievance) process for appeal if an employee feels an increment is unfairly withheld. The MOA regarding Article 11.3 has been concluded.
The MOA regarding Employee Benefits can be read here.
The MOA regarding Performance Related Increments can be read here.
We believe that arbitrator Sims recommendations provide a good resolution for the University and its employees. We are confident that arbitrator Sims decision will assist the parties in continuing to move forward constructively. Should questions or comments arise from this update, please direct them to Cheryl Carver at cheryl.carver@usask.ca or 966-1219. Thank you for your patience and support over the many months of this process.
Of final note, the two outstanding issues of employee benefits and performance-related increments had significantly different outcomes for the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina. Arbitrator Sims recommended separate language for the University of Regina regarding performance increments, and the parties at the University of Regina failed to reach agreement on the issue of benefits and therefore proceeded to the formal interest arbitration hearing.
The purpose of the following update is to provide clarity regarding the status of bargaining with ASPA and the University’s offer to settle presented to the Union on October 29, 2008, which expired on November 13, 2008 at 5:00 p.m.
Why did the University table a time-limited offer?
Bargaining with ASPA began in April of this year. The University and ASPA tabled opening monetary positions in early June. It was our hope that a timely agreement be reached. Unfortunately, talks over monetary items stalled and the bargaining process has become protracted.
To date, the University has remained consistent with or has increased our financial commitment through eight (8) offers. All of these offers were fair and competitive, based on a thorough assessment of the national market for similar jobs and economic settlements and trends nationally and regionally.
In an effort to settle, the October 29, 2008 offer stretched the University’s financial capacity over the proposed three year term. At this time, the University is facing different challenges than we were when bargaining of monetary issues began because the economic climate has shifted significantly since our first offers were tabled in the summer. In discussions about our offer to settle we indicated to ASPA that there was increasing concern that the University’s offer was becoming unaffordable. Quite simply, the University’s administration requires clarity around budget (compensation) commitments in order to address its more pressing overall financial situation. We emphasized that a timely agreement was essential.
Based on the above, we gave ASPA our offer on October 29, 2008, in advance of the scheduled conciliation meeting of November 4, 2008. We clearly advised ASPA that our offer would expire on November 13. We believe this allowed ASPA sufficient time to consult with their Advisory Committee.
We asked ASPA to recommend our offer to their membership through a tentative agreement. The members could then consider the offer through a ratification vote. The ASPA negotiating team asked, instead, if we wanted them to take the offer to their membership without a positive recommendation. The University responded by stating that was their decision, but that from our perspective it was not helpful to take an offer without a positive recommendation. We further added that after protracted bargaining we believed it was time for the ASPA team to make a decision that balanced the needs of the University with the expectations of their membership to bring bargaining to a conclusion.
ASPA responded with a counter offer that failed to meet our reasonable financial limitations or address our shared interest of rewarding the growth and performance of our employees through the broad salary ranges. The University rejected that counter offer and clarified that our offer to settle remained open for their consideration.
Consistent with our clear discussions with ASPA, our offer expired on November 13, 2008. There has been no communication or request for further discussions from ASPA since the conciliation session on November 4, 2008.
Today the University filed an Unfair Labour Practice complaint with the Labour Relations Board with respect to ASPA bargaining.
Despite a number of efforts to bring bargaining to a conclusion, the University has been frustrated by the ASPA bargaining team’s failure to follow legal (fair) bargaining processes as defined in the Trade Union Act.
In recognition of the volunteer status of most of the team, rather than take a heavy-handed legal approach earlier in the process, we firmly and persistently provided feedback to the ASPA negotiators about bargaining processes. We continued to focus on reaching an agreement by listening carefully to their interests, modifying our proposals where possible in an effort to reach an agreement.
However, we now believe we have no alternative but to legally address the conduct of the ASPA bargaining team, so that at minimum the ASPA bargaining team will receive some direction as to appropriate legal bargaining processes to assist in future bargaining.
In summary, on November 14, 2008, the University filed a complaint with the Labour Relations Board outlining the allegations of the bad faith bargaining of ASPA’s negotiating team and the resulting inability to conclude a timely collective agreement. The detailed complaint can be viewed here.
What is the status of bargaining?
The University is interested to conclude the bargaining process with ASPA. We are prepared to resume bargaining to discuss the terms of an agreement that balances the interests of the University and its employees.
Further updates will be provided in the coming weeks.
Conciliation ends, despite an offer from the University which stretches our financial resources.
On October 29, 2008, the University tabled an offer to settle with ASPA, who responded with a counter offer the University could not accept (for reasons described below). The University confirmed that our offer was open for the ASPA bargaining team’s consideration until November 13, 2008, to allow them time to consult with their members and consider their options.
After lengthy discussions, the University believes that the parties share common interests of:
We, unfortunately, differ in two areas:
First, is the amount of the financial settlement. The University’s offer is based on a comprehensive analysis of market comparisons and the economic reality faced by the institution. In a time of economic instability and uncertainty, our financial offer is the maximum amount possible and will ensure competitive salaries while remaining fiscally responsible in the current economic climate.
Second, is the issue of salary progression through the broad salary bands negotiated in 2003. The University’s offer provides increments up to the target point (market value) of jobs and ongoing salary increases beyond the target point based on job growth, skill development and performance (all are aspects of merit rewards).
ASPA wishes to return to a model of service-based increments above the target point (market value). ASPA previously agreed to remove service-based increments in the last round of bargaining in support of a market and merit-based compensation system.
It is the University’s goal to ensure that our highly valued employees are paid competitive salaries and rewarded through the newly revised merit system. This is a critical strategy in supporting the University’s Strategic Directions for the recruitment and retention of the talented management and professional staff that ASPA represents.
View our October 29th offer here.
Please watch the Human Resources website for additional updates as they become available.
The University and ASPA met for two days of conciliation talks (October 14 and 15, 2008). Both parties agree to continue this process and have confirmed additional conciliation sessions for November 4 and 5, 2008.
Please watch the Human Resources website for additional updates as they become available.
The University and ASPA met for three days of conciliation talks (September 30 to October 2). Both parties agree to continue this process and are confirming additional conciliation sessions.
Please watch the Human Resources website for additional updates as they become available.
On Monday, August 25th, the Ministry of Labour informed the University that Mr. Doug Forseth, Executive Director of the Conciliation Branch has agreed to facilitate the conciliation process. The parties reviewed their availability and have agreed to meet on September 30th, October 1st, and October 2nd.
This is an informal and non-binding process. The University is committed to reaching a tentative agreement that is meaningful to all parties and is in the best interests of the University and our employees. We believe that conciliation is a positive step forward which may result in an agreement. Further updates will follow as the process unfolds.
On Friday, August 4th, ASPA informed the University that they wish to engage in a conciliation process through the Ministry of Labour. Following clarification discussions with ASPA, the University has agreed to proceed with conciliation. This is an informal and non-binding process which will be facilitated by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Labour.
Dates for the conciliation process have yet to be determined.
The University is committed to reaching a tentative agreement that is meaningful to all parties and is in the best interests of the University and our employees. We believe that conciliation is a positive step forward which may result in an agreement.
The University’s bargaining representatives met with ASPA today to table an offer in an effort to bring negotiations to a close. The University’s offer was rejected by ASPA and negotiations ended. Further information on the details of the University’s offer and progress of negotiations will be communicated in a detailed bargaining update.
CUPE 1975 ratified the Tentative Agreement between the Universities of Saskatchewan and Regina in voting that was held on December 12th and 13th. The membership voted 87% in favour of the agreement, with 60% of the membership turning out for the vote.
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