Emily Carr goes to Mediation

Your committee has been at the table for over one year. In July, the parties met to conclude the bargaining of our collective agreement. At that time we believed we had reached a tentative agreement. The next step, required the employer to seek approval from the Post Secondary Employers’ Association (PSEA). Unfortunately ECU was not successful in obtaining this approval.

Since that time there have been attempts to try and resolve this issue. To date we have had no success in finding a resolution.

There are two outstanding issues on language regarding Job Evaluation (JE) and Workload.

The JE language, bargained and agreed to at the table, focused on processes around ratings and appeals. Not only has PSEA apparently disagreed with the language put forward by the parties, and negotiated in good faith, but they have also hindered the successful completion of this proposal by imposing further requirements on the Union committee. At no time during negotiations were these additional requirements put forth to the Union.

The other outstanding issue is the language negotiated, again in good faith, concerning Workload.

Apparently, PSEA will not approve the words “work-life balance” in the Workload language that was put forward by the employer and accepted by the Union. The explanation the Union received was that it was not language currently used in the post secondary sector. In principle the Union finds this unacceptable and quite frankly insulting to the CUPE 15 members at Emily Carr University!

Your CUPE Local 15 bargaining committee is committed to obtaining a collective agreement before the end of this year. In an attempt to achieve this, we have applied to the BC Labour Relations Board and have requested the matter be referred to a Mediator.

The parties are scheduled to meet on September 30th at the Labour Relations Board.

While this is an issue between ECU and CUPE Local 15, the current Liberal provincial government needs to be held accountable for the direction that PSEA is giving ECU in resolving these matters. This is a direct result of a “net-zero” mandate, dictated by the provincial government to all public sector negotiators, and handed down in this current round of contract negotiations.

The Liberals have said you can’t have a wage increase for two years, and you can’t have contract language that addresses “work-life balance.”

Your bargaining committee is determined to negotiate the best possible settlement under these very adverse circumstances. We will advise you of any outcomes after our mediation date on September 30th.

Thank you once again for your continued support and hopefully with that support, we will bring these negotiations to a successful conclusion….AGAIN!!

In solidarity,
Kathie Currie
Staff Representative
On behalf of your Bargaining Committee: Gaye Fowler, Shannon McKinnon, Emma Somers and Danielle Zandvliet

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CEP L467-UW