* The University has offered to extend the current VIUFA contract until March 31, 2012, this includes no ‘take-aways’ or concessions of any kind.
VIUFA proposals currently on the table:
* VIUFA want a ‘no lay-off’ clause. * Additional paid time for union members to conduct business * Increased paid professional development * Increased pay for directed studies * a number of other cost and non-cost items
VIU cannot agree to a ‘no lay-off’ clause. Doing so would eliminate opportunities for the University to respond to changes in enrolment patterns or student demand.
The University has been given a mandate to negotiate within a net zero framework. The cost items VIUFA are asking for are not within the government’s net zero mandate. Over 70% of the Universities and Colleges in BC have settled within the net zero mandate.
Reports suggesting that there will be significant faculty lay-offs in 2011-2012 are incorrect. VIU anticipates a loss of fewer than ten full time equivalent instructional faculty. As outlined in the faculty collective agreement, the employer will work with VIUFA to mitigate these lay-offs.
Faculty have shown some concern about the misinformation on the VIU website and now in a VIU-paid ad in the Nanaimo Daily News about the unions proposals. For the record:
* We are seeking a financial exigency clause as appropriate mechanism for faculty layoffs. * We are not, nor have we ever, proposed more paid union release time. This is simply misinformation. * Both the employer and the union originally proposed increasing Professional Development funds. Both parties have since dropped this proposal. * We are proposing that Directed Studies be fairly paid – current provisions can mean our members work for less than minimum wage while the employer reaps a profit.
We have written to VIU’s Communications officer, Toni O’Keefe, requesting a retraction, and we have written to the Nanaimo Daily News to alert them of the misinformation in their newspaper.
Here is some information I found on the VIU website about the strike:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.viu.ca/HumanResources/labourupdate/important-message.asp
The University’s proposal:
* The University has offered to extend the current VIUFA contract until March 31, 2012, this includes no ‘take-aways’ or concessions of any kind.
VIUFA proposals currently on the table:
* VIUFA want a ‘no lay-off’ clause.
* Additional paid time for union members to conduct business
* Increased paid professional development
* Increased pay for directed studies
* a number of other cost and non-cost items
VIU cannot agree to a ‘no lay-off’ clause. Doing so would eliminate opportunities for the University to respond to changes in enrolment patterns or student demand.
The University has been given a mandate to negotiate within a net zero framework. The cost items VIUFA are asking for are not within the government’s net zero mandate. Over 70% of the Universities and Colleges in BC have settled within the net zero mandate.
Reports suggesting that there will be significant faculty lay-offs in 2011-2012 are incorrect. VIU anticipates a loss of fewer than ten full time equivalent instructional faculty. As outlined in the faculty collective agreement, the employer will work with VIUFA to mitigate these lay-offs.
And here is some information I found on the VIUFA website in response. Question Everything:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.viufa.ca/viu-misrepresents-viufa-bargaining-package/
Faculty have shown some concern about the misinformation on the VIU website and now in a VIU-paid ad in the Nanaimo Daily News about the unions proposals. For the record:
* We are seeking a financial exigency clause as appropriate mechanism for faculty layoffs.
* We are not, nor have we ever, proposed more paid union release time. This is simply misinformation.
* Both the employer and the union originally proposed increasing Professional Development funds. Both parties have since dropped this proposal.
* We are proposing that Directed Studies be fairly paid – current provisions can mean our members work for less than minimum wage while the employer reaps a profit.
We have written to VIU’s Communications officer, Toni O’Keefe, requesting a retraction, and we have written to the Nanaimo Daily News to alert them of the misinformation in their newspaper.