As explained in our previous bargaining update, the Employer’s refusal to engage with most of our key proposals led to your APUO Executive deciding to file for conciliation. Conciliation dates have now been set for November 5 and 6. The APUO and the Employer have agreed to mediation, on October 17, with mediator William Kaplan.
It is crucial that the Negotiation Team demonstrate having strong, united support from APUO Members for both mediation and conciliation.
Since the start of the term, Members have been circulating a majority-petition demanding that the Employer fully engage with our proposals on addressing workload, supporting the quality of teaching and research, and democratizing decision-making. We are pleased to announce that as of the morning of October 3, we have surpassed the 60% threshold, with 821 out of 1235 active members1 signing the petition. This represents 66% of APUO Members. Your Negotiation Team will be proudly sharing this result with the Employer, the mediator and the conciliator. Our position will be stronger at the negotiating table thanks to every Member who took the time to sign.
If you haven’t yet, we encourage you to join your colleagues and add your name to the petition. If this is your first time learning of the majority-petition, please reach out to your APUO Board representative, or contact us directly at action@apuo.ca. We’ll connect you with the leaders in your academic unit who are playing a key role in this important organizing effort.
To ensure we stay connected in the event that the Employer cuts access to your @uottawa.ca emails, please send your personal contact details (phone number and non-uOttawa email address) to action@apuo.ca if you haven’t done so already. This will allow us to update you under any circumstance and coordinate strike pay if needed.
Your solidarity and involvement make all the difference.
1. This count includes all APUO members, including those on academic leave, who are not currently seconded from the APUO, on Long-Term Disability leave or any other leave, paid or unpaid.