Deal reached after strike vote, marathon conciliation session
As the sky darkened outside McGreer Hall and April 30 turned into May 1, APBU staff negotiators and the University reached an agreement in principle, following a day-long session with a conciliator.
The conciliator had been called in on April 8, after the staff union rejected an offer by the Corporation of Bishop’s University. Later in the month, the staff division of the Association of Professors of Bishop’s University held a strike vote, handing the APBU executive a whopping 87.8% mandate to strike.
Fortunately for the school, a strike never occurred, though it likely strengthened the union’s hand going into the conciliation session.
In a memo circulated to union members earlier in the month, professor Darren Westman explained that this was why the vote was held.
“[A strike mandate] puts pressure on the employer in a way that can encourage a fair settlement without having to actually call a strike,” Westman wrote.
“It’s possible that a strong victory for the ‘yes’ side in a strike vote could help make a strike less likely.”
One of the main sticking points in negotiations was salary increases for staff members. The University was offering staff a 3.5% increase over three years; the union’s initial proposal asked for far more – 13.5% over the same period.
In collective agreements ratified earlier this year, full-time faculty had been promised an increase of 10% from 2010 to 2012; part-time faculty signed a deal for an even greater increase of 14.81%.
The staff unit’s collective agreement, approved on May 14 with 78.7% voting in favour of ratification, is the last agreement to be signed between the University and the three bargaining units.
In a statement released the same day, Principal Michael Goldbloom wrote on the university website: “Earlier today Bishop’s staff voted by a large majority to ratify the 2010-2012 collective agreement. I would like to thank both negotiating teams for their dedication and professionalism in reaching this agreement. With collective agreements now in place for all bargaining units, we are well-positioned to continue to work together to face the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”
Goldbloom further touted the agreement at the May 15 meeting of the Corporation, where he also congratulated Dr. Jean Manore, chair of the History Department, on her election to the presidency of the APBU. Dr. Manore will succeed Dr. Cheryl Gosselin.
