We’re back after a much needed summer break, but the fight against austerity continues. Amidst a worsening anti-labour climate at Queen’s, and a chaotic registration period as students scramble to enrol in an ever decreasing number of course offerings, QCAA members were eager to review the terms of QUFA’s new Tentative Agreement (TA). The agreement was reached on August 20, with two days of conciliation remaining.

Because a communications ban prevents us from discussing details about the agreement, we cannot provide an in-depth analysis of gains and concessions, or what was left on the table. Instead, we are sharing reminders of the bargaining mandate and concerns raised by members during bargaining town halls that may be useful to keep in mind when reviewing the new terms. We hope this will help members make informed decisions about whether to vote in favour of ratification.

Before members vote on ratification, they have to decide whether or not to authorize a ratification vote. This step will take place at a general meeting on Zoom on Monday, August 31 at 1:00 pm. If a majority of members at that meeting vote in favour of authorization, the TA will go to the membership for a ratification vote. If a majority of members vote against authorizing ratification, a number of different scenarios could unfold, and we‘re hoping to get more clarity about what exactly those are during the upcoming meetings.

Collective struggle is the strongest tool members have to defend their labour rights and protections and to ensure that everyone in the QUFA bargaining unit has good, dignified working conditions. We need to use this power: showing up, asking questions, and making our voices heard is a great place to start. We look forward to seeing our QUFA readers there!

Primer for Evaluating the Tentative Agreement

Here we remind readers of nine key objectives prioritized by QUFA members in the mandate they provided to their bargaining team and supported with a strong strike vote. The questions that follow each item allow us to assess how the new TA measures up.

  1. Job security: What gains does the TA include for adjunct members? What protections does the TA achieve with respect to automation of labor in the face of AI? Does the TA strengthen tenure, renewal, and promotion processes in the face of recent interference attempts (e.g., the Provost’s tenure memo)? Given a radically diminished faculty complement in many units, and debilitating conditions of employment precarity, does the new TA facilitate opportunities for permanance for adjunct faculty?
  2. Workload and Working Conditions: How does the TA fare in terms of improving working conditions and equalizing workload across the university? Does the new TA demonstrate awareness of worsening conditions for many members, including drastic cuts to teaching assistant, lab technician, and general staff support?
  3. Collegial Governance: How does the TA solidify faculty participation in important decision-making processes?
  4. Impacts of AI: How does the TA limit use of AI in personnel decisions? What gains have been made with respect to AI jeopardizing job security and equity (see 1. and 6.)? What gains have been made to prevent the AI industry’s theft of members’ intellectual property?
  5. Privacy and Security: What gains have been made to limit workplace surveillance and its abuse? What gains have been negotiated in terms of supporting members’ navigation of security software like Endpoint?
  6. Equity: Has the TA improved the working conditions for those made most precarious by the institution? Does the new TA curb systemic discrimination by algorithmic hiring or evaluation systems?
  7. Benefits and Professional Development: Does the new TA address problems with benefits such as long-term disability? Has the tuition assistance benefit increased alongside rising tuition costs at the provincial level?
  8. Academic Freedom: Given the widespread and alarming suppression of academic freedom and harassment of professors teaching in “sensitive“ areas in North American universities, what safeguards are in place to protect member’s pedagogical content? Can faculty be assured that their lectures are defended against outside influence by, for instance, prohibiting unauthorised recording?
  9. Fair and Competitive Compensation: How do any across-the-board salary increases compare to industry standards? Do any gains here compensate for losses or concessions in other areas of the TA?

Meetings

  • Authorization to Ratify (August 31, 1:00-2:30pm) / Meeting Link 
  • Town Hall Regarding Ratification (September 1, 1:30-3:30pm; if authorization vote passes) / Meeting Link
  • Town Hall Regarding Ratification (September 3, 2:00-4:00pm; if authorization vote passes) / Meeting Link

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