Chief Steward’s report from AGM: May 9, 2018

This is JPs written update from tonight's AGM.

We still have ongoing battles around Bill 148 and at the Provincial Task Force on our key issues, along with the charter challenge of the back-to-work legislation.  As well, there are a number of new developments that provide glimmers of hope at our College and provincewide.

1. Review of College Employer Council
   1. The divisional leadership met with representatives of the Ministry of Labour who are looking at the role and structure of College Employer Council and labour relations in the Colleges.
   2. There is no expectation that they will decentralize bargaining, but are interested in restructuring labour relations and some aspects of bargaining.
   3. They expected to have report issued at the end of March. It has not been made public, but we will keep you updated on any developments.

2. Charter challenge
   1. The legal team is still collecting documents.
   2. The challenge is moving forward, but slowly.

3. Provincial Task Force
   1. The interim report was issued to Minister Hunter on May 4, but has not been made public yet.
   2. Secretariat work on the Task Force will be suspended when the writ drops (expected May 9) until after the provincial election on June 7.
   3. Vendors for research on staffing and governance have been procured, and work on that research will continue.
   4. The working tables (staffing, governance and intellectual property, mental health and access, flexibility) can continue as well, but without staff support until after the election.
   5. We will have an update on the research and other matters on May 15.
   6. There will be further upcoming opportunities to participate in research and information gathering this Fall—we are just finalizing details and timelines.
   7. The final report will be issued in December, complete with detailed recommendations.

4. Bill 148
   1. We have met with Council 4 times since January, and have another meeting scheduled in June to discuss the impacts of the Employment Standards Act (ESA) on our Collective Agreement. Bill 148 marks the first time contract college faculty are covered by the ESA.
   2. We are making progress in some smaller areas, though there are many items that are contentious.
   3. We have tabled language on equal pay for equal work, and are awaiting a response.
   4. Issues included in these discussions include, but are not limited to, equal pay for partial-load faculty, holiday pay for partial-load faculty, personal emergency leave provisions, vacation pay calculations, medical evidence for leaves, and other leaves as included in the ESA.

5. PL registry
   1. Human resources at GBC has approached the Local about demonstrating the registry to us next week.
   2. The registries are quite varied at other colleges. A few key aspects we will be looking for include:
      1. That the list of registered partial load faculty will be maintained by the College and available for viewing by the union, to ensure that the registry is accurate.
      2. That the registry include experience of registered PL employees that goes back 4 years and includes all work done—whether PL, sessional, or PT.

• That the registry reflect the focus on courses and not total workload
• That seniority is respected.

6. Article 13 challenges
   1. Across the province, most challenges that are brought forward locally under Article 13 are being resolved before grievance and arbitration. That’s good news.
   2. We have successfully continued this trend here at GBC.
   3. Durham College is attempting a draconian set of restrictions on faculty around discussing the provincial election on campus and/or with students. We are in the midst of a challenge on that.
   4. It is imperative to keep pushing on these cases locally so that the language is interpreted correctly. There is a central provincial committee with legal support reviewing and advising Locals on these cases.  If you have an issue, bring it to the Local so we can help.

7. PL coordinators
   1. Recently, an award came out of an arbitration at St. Lawrence College affirming that PL coordinators whose coordination time takes them over the 12 TCH limit are actually sessionals. It resulted in a rollover into a full-time position.
   2. This is resulting in a number of challenges here and at other colleges.
   3. We expect that the employer is going to take the decision through a judicial review process, but for now, if you or anyone you know is a PL faculty and a coordinator, please come talk to the Local so we can review your case and next steps. This is a HUGE win for the union, and has the potential to create more FT jobs for PL coordinators.

8. Contract faculty organizing drive
   1. Legal arguments are being made at the OLRB about who counts on the voters’ lists.
   2. No word yet on when the boxes will be opened and the votes counted. It could be months yet.  This is similar to the timeline for CAATS.

9. Local capacity building and member engagement
   1. Our challenge as a Local now is to regroup and keep our folks motivated and pulling in the same direction as we enter the enforcement phase of negotiations.

• This requires ongoing commitments to communication, and creating opportunities for people to gather (flying squads at Humber/Seneca, social and political justice committees, engagement with ARC and member initiatives).
• Need capacity building as a practice—built in to every local meeting—changing our culture takes time and effort.
• Finding the best test cases, winning them, and publicizing those victories.
• Working with our allies on their issues—students, workers, contract faculty.
• Pushing the government now for the changes we need, and showing them we are a potent force, particularly before June 7. Talk to your students about the election and what it means for PSE.
• Using social media to our best advantage so our members see themselves everywhere.
• Need to know our membership so that we can respond quickly and build deep capacity.

In solidarity,

JP Hornick, Chief Steward, L556