WLU collective agreement ratified
[2008 04 11]The Contract Academic Staff (CAS) bargaining unit has ratified the collective agreement as negotiated between the Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty Association (WLUFA) and the University Administration.
“The ratification vote reflects the faith that our members have in their negotiating team,” Dr. Judy Bates said. “Everyone over the course of the three year period will be paid more per course and the rates are approaching the levels being paid by our competitors. Those who have seniority will enjoy a higher rate of pay for all courses that they teach.”
“We’ve made some significant gains in certain areas. The situation in Music is greatly improved. Contract faculty in Music will now be paid for duties for which they were not paid in the past,” Dr. Bates said. “The higher rate of pay being offered to members with seniority is a meaningful first step towards a grid system that recognizes their expertise and experience.”
“Of course, this falls short of our goal to achieve a global seniority system,” Dr. Bates said. “The Senior Administration continues to refuse to acknowledge that the CAS members are part of the core function of the university. Their approach to these negotiations reflects a failure to understand the nature and importance of the service that CAS members provide. The clawback of $500 per course is mean-spirited. Contract faculty are now going back to complete the work that was put on hold when they went on strike.”
Dr. Jim Gerlach, a CAS member in the Biology and Chemistry Departments, said, “CAS members are committed to ensuring that their students won’t lose out. Like many of my colleagues, I voted for this collective agreement in order to ensure that our students could complete their academic year on time. I put the students’ interests in front of my own. While I am pleased by the improvements in pay for laboratory instruction, I am disappointed in the Administration’s lack of recognition of my education and experience.”
[source—CAS]