Sent on behalf of the YUSA Bargaining Committee
Dear YUSA Members,
We want to say THANK YOU VERY MUCH to all of you who filled out the Bargaining
Survey (results linked above). We had 596 members submit their answers to let us know what their priorities are. We have, after many hours, organized the responses into 2 types of fairly “Easy to Read” documents (thank you, Jen Ferdinands and Lorraine Mar) that we will be reviewing in detail over the coming weeks. We heard you loud and clear on a number of items, and we will be presenting those with the Employer when the time comes to start negotiating the new Collective Agreement. Our current collective agreement is in effect until July 31, 2024.
After our 2-day planning session at the end of January, we have met, as a Committee,
4 times to strategize and discuss all aspects of the bargaining process and what that may
look like. We have researched other Universities in Ontario to see if 1) they had a Bill 124
wage reopener and 2) what their monetary gains were after Bill 124.
I am sure you would agree that what is important right now is the Bill 124 wage reopener
and getting the most money for our members. As you know, YUSA has signed the
multi-union Memorandum of Agreement (agreement linked above) with YUFA,OHFA, CUPE 1356 and CUPE 1356-1 regarding the use of mediation and binding interest arbitration with respect to the “Bill 124 Moderation Period”.
The Bargaining Committee has scheduled some dates in April for full day and half day prep
days to get ready for the next round of negotiations.
We will also be scheduling some Bargaining specific Drop-In Dates by Zoom and in person
over the next few months. This will give you a chance to ask questions in those spaces. The dates will be sent out once they have been set.
We want to thank the last Bargaining Committee members: Elspeth Staniland, Zeripha
Moses and, in the early days, Min-A Yoon. Thank you for your hard work and dedication.
We look forward to seeing and speaking with you!
In Solidarity, your 2024 Bargaining Team:
Scarlett Farquhar, Chair, 2024 Bargaining Committee, Glendon Representative
Lorraine Mar, Co-chair, 2024 Bargaining Committee, Member at Large
Oliver Barich, Grievance Committee Representative
Jennifer Ferdinands, Member at Large
Sonny Day, President
Wanda Hollingshead, 1st Vice President
Sandra Bell, 2nd Vice President, Ex-Officio
Please click below to download the thank-you letter.
