YUFA
Executive
YUFA Executive Meeting Summaries 2008-2009
by Louise Ripley, Communications Officer
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
President – Arthur Hilliker
A. Hilliker reported that the Primary Negotiating Positions will be sent to members of Stewards’ Council.
Executive agreed that at the upcoming Stewards’ Council ratification meetings A. Hilliker will introduce the Primary Negotiating Positions and that Stewards’ Council will choose a Chair among the elected stewards for the approval meetings.
Executive agreed that, for ratification of the Primary Negotiating Positions, a General Membership Meeting will be tentatively scheduled for early June.
Vice President Internal – Mary Kandiuk
M. Kandiuk reported that the Employer has told the Joint Subcommittee on Benefits that Long-Term Disability premiums will be increased and that YUFA has been advised by our pension consultant concerning the calculation of premiums.
Motion: That Executive approve the renewal of Simone R. Bohn as a member of the Grievance Committee. Carried.
M. Kandiuk reported that YUFA has requested information for FISC additional to the statement of April 2008 and the recent report to Senate.
W. Whiteley reported that the York Pension Fund will report at an open meeting in June.
Motion: That YUFA Executive put out a new call for members of the Dispute Resolution Committee, including information concerning responsibilities, the 0.5 course release, and the revised email address and deadline for submissions, and that YUFA will request confirmation of those already nominated. Carried.
Vice President External – Livy Visano
Motion: That YUFA Executive approve payment of eligible expenses for two librarian members to attend the CAUT Librarian Conference ‘Negotiating for Parity: Closing the Librarian / Faculty Gap’ in Ottawa Friday 23 October to Sunday 25 October 2009. Carried.
L. Visano asked about ways in which YUFA representatives to such organizations as the OCUFA Board and CAUT Council might inform YUFA members about the information distributed and decisions taken at these meetings.
Chief Stewards: David Cabianca & Suzie Young
D. Cabianca reported on an increasing number of Employer’s disciplinary meetings with members in the last few weeks with some of the matters appearing trivial.
Executive agreed to draft a letter to Gary Brewer, Vice-President Finance and Administration, concerning the current spate of false fire alarms.
S. Young reported that there have been recent discussions with the Employer concerning the 2006 retirement cohort.
The Chief Stewards discussed Policy and other grievances.
It was agreed that the annual results of Leaves & Fellowship awards will be posted to the YUFA Website, pending agreement at JCOAA.
Equity Officer – Didi Khayatt
D. Khayatt recommended that incoming Equity Officers continue YUFA’s participation in AccessYork.
She also reported on current negotiations at Ontario universities that were discussed at OCUFA’s 1 May 2009 Collective Bargaining Committee meeting.
Communications Officer – Louise Ripley
A motion was approved that a 1.0 course release be awarded for the work of revising the FAQs following ratification of the 2009 Collective Agreement. Further, it was decided that the 2009 FAQs be posted on the YUFA Website rather than in hardcopy.
L. Ripley resigned as “Committee Member” from the Joint Health & Safety Committee. A call will go out over YUFA-M for a replacement.
A call will go out over YUFA-M for a member of the Retirement Centre Board.
ARFL Representative – Alex Murray
ARFL has decided not to ask for status at the FSCO hearing because it believes its interests can best be represented by YUFA’s counsel before and during the hearing.
Business Arising From the Minutes
Motion: That (after seeking concurrence with Stewards’ Council) Executive recommend that Stewards’ Council adopt as a slate for the remaining position as Stewards’ Council Representative to Executive the two candidates who tied in the recent election. Carried.
Motion: That Executive confirm approval of support for Ruthann Dyer as member-at-large and J. Rahn as YUFA Executive observer to attend the CAUT Conference on Contract Academic Faculty in Ottawa, 30 May 2009. Carried.
Orders of the Day
Motion: That, effective 1 June 2009 and on behalf of all YUFA members, the YUFA Executive agrees to give the YUFA Community Projects Committee’s $3,000 per month until the budget is approved at the next Annual General Meeting. Further, the YUFA Executive supports in principle a special levy whereby each bargaining unit member would pay $2 per month to the Community Projects Committee in order to support educational opportunities for secondary-school students who belong to groups under-represented among post-secondary students. Carried.
E-Mail Motions:
Motion: 12 May 2009, pursuant to discussion and request for further information from Centre for Research on Work and Society, that YUFA provide financial assistance to CRWS in the amount of $10,000. Carried.
Motion: 6 May 2009, under the Constitution wherein the Executive is charged with scheduling Stewards' Council meetings and setting the agenda, that ratification meetings be from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Monday 11 May, Tuesday 12 May, Wednesday 13 May (the last date being only used if necessary). Carried.
President – Arthur Hilliker
A. Hilliker reported that a call for nominees will go out to members, for a new Equity Officer effective 1 June 2009.
Motion: That Executive change balloting procedures to a two-envelope system. Carried.
Executive agreed to send the Contract Review Committee’s final report, without attachments, to stewards electronically, with reminders that members respect confidentiality so as to ensure that the Employer does not receive the final report and that individual stewards are invited to comment on the report directly to the Executive, via yufa@yorku.ca.
Executive began its review of the CRC’s Final Report. Visitors were asked to respect confidentiality with respect to this item. A. Hilliker again described the process: the CRC’s final report is advisory to Executive; it will be used to produce the Primary Negotiating Positions document that is outlined in the Constitution (9.1). That document will then go to Stewards’ Council and to then to the general membership for ratification.
A. Hilliker distributed the legal opinion of YUFA’s Counsel concerning those eligible to vote for Stewards’ Council Representatives to Executive, namely, that according to YUFA’s Constitution, members of Executive, like other members of Stewards’ Council, are eligible to vote for Stewards’ Council Representatives to Executive.
Order of the Day: Approval of Draft Primary Negotiating Positions 2009
R. Rogers reported on language in Ontario collective agreements that addresses casualization of academic work.
Motion (of 20 April 2009, to be voted on 27 April 2009): That Executive approve the Draft Primary Negotiating Positions 2009. Carried.
Vice President Internal – Mary Kandiuk
Motion: That the following YUFA members be approved as members of the Subcommittee on Stewards’ Council Representation and Related Changes to YUFA’s By-laws: Ben Lowinsky (Arts), David Clipsham, Martin Thomas (Atkinson), Ildiko Kovacs, Suzie Young. Carried.
Motion: That the appointments of the following YUFA members to the Grievance Committee be approved: Neal Madras, Walter. Whiteley, David Cabianca. Carried.
Motion: That Executive approve the Officers’ Workplan Report 2008-09. Carried.
Vice President External – Livy Visano
Motion: That Executive endorse the nomination of Penni Stewart for the NUCAUT Patricia Baker Award. Carried.
Motion: That YUFA pay eligible expenses (to be stipulated in the call to members) for a maximum of two YUFA members to attend the Transforming the Academy: CAUT Forum for Aboriginal Academic Staff (13-15 November 2009). Deadline for applications will be 14 September 2009 and the call will go out on YUFA-M in mid-to-late August. Carried.
Chief Stewards: David Cabianca & Suzie Young
Motion: That Paul Craven be re-appointed YUFA Co-Chair of the Dispute Resolution Committee and that a call go out over YUFA-M for two new YUFA side members of the DRC. Carried.
Email Motions
28 April 2009: Moved that the draft Appendix U, part 1, be included in the primary negotiating positions. Carried.
28 April 2009: Moved that the draft Appendix U, part 2, be included in the primary negotiating positions. Carried.
15 April 2009: Moved that YUFA Executive approve the YUFA Officer Election Balloting Procedures, as amended. Carried.
Business Arising From the Minutes
(of 20 April 2009: 3.a.viii), L. Visano reported that he has contacted Norene Pupo and a budget for CRWS has not yet been submitted. When an operating budget is submitted, the 6 April 2009 tabled motion (3 a vii) will be reconsidered.
President – Arthur Hilliker
A. Hilliker reported that the Contract Review Committee has nearly completed its work and continues to invite Executive members to comment on the Interim Report. He complimented the Grievance Committee on its excellent report. D. Brock, Equity Officer, asked for more time in light of the fact that an equity supercaucus is planned for 20 March; A. Hilliker agreed to wait until early April.
As directed by the 3 March 2009 Special General Meeting, results of the membership survey will be made available to members, including means and aggregates, rankings and ratings, but not individual comments.
Motion: That a subcommittee be established to develop, as necessary, changes to YUFA’s By-laws and Constitution that would arise from changes in Stewards’ constituencies as a result of the merger of Atkinson and Arts, that volunteers be sought among members of the YUFA Bargaining Unit. Carried.
Motion: As directed by a motion from the 3 March 2009 Special General Meeting, YUFA will put out a call to members asking for up to 7 volunteers to serve on this (discussion paper regarding bargaining in a broad context) subcommittee. Volunteers will be asked to provide statements of interest. The deadline will be 20 March. Carried.
Vice President Internal – Mary Kandiuk
M. Kandiuk reported that a call will be issued for nominees to fill the upcoming Chief Steward vacancy.
Motion: That YUFA Executive explore electronic balloting, including www.evote.ca. Carried.
Motion: To approve the appointments of Marcia Macaulay and Lelia Young to the Grievance Committee and that they be asked to provide statements of interest before 3 April 2009, as Stewards’ Council may request them.
Vice President External – Livy Visano
L. Visano reported that YUFA now has 4 delegates (Livy Visano, Claudio Colaguori, Jay Goulding, and Merle Jacobs) to the Toronto and York Region Labour Council.
L. Visano reported that CUPE 1356, supported by YUSA, has opposed the METRAC walkabouts and training sessions because these cannot be done effectively by CUPE 1356 members due to understaffing. L. Visano has informed the YUFA volunteers that the walkabouts and training sessions have been cancelled.
L. Visano reported on plans for OCUFA’s 24 March Lobby Day at Queen’s Park.
Motion: That YUFA will pay the Registration (only) for all members who are willing to attend the Toronto and York Region Labour Council ‘Workers of Colour / Aboriginal Workers’ Conference in Toronto on 2 May. The deadline for applications will be 3 April and the call will go out over YUFA-M. Carried.
Motion: That YUFA will pay eligible expenses (to be stipulated in the call to members) for one member, and for a second person who is an Executive member and who is to be determined later, to attend the CAUT Conference on Contract Academic Staff in Ottawa on 30 May. The deadline for applications will be 3 April and the call will go out on YUFA-M. Carried.
Chief Stewards: David Cabianca & Suzie Young
D. Cabianca reported on grievance activities.
Other Items for Action
Motion: That Executive approve Justin Podur, Ray Rogers, and Hira Singh as volunteers for the Subcommittee to produce a discussion paper regarding bargaining in a broad context. Carried. Executive agreed to circulate another call in order to get up to an additional 4 members to volunteer for this Subcommittee. As with the previous call, volunteers will be asked to provide a statement of interest. The deadline will be 30 March.
Motion: That YUFA provide the Retirement Planning Centre with $9,738 for their 2008-09 year (according to Article 14.06). Carried.
Item for Discussion
Guests were asked if they had anything to add to the meeting. Noreen Pupo, Director of the Centre for Research on Work & Society (CRWS) spoke about the Centre’s funding problems, now that SSHRC no longer funds it. It was noted that donations normally require submission of a budget and must be in compliance with By-law 18 regarding Funding and Endorsements. It also was noted that YUFA’s policy has been not to support scholarly activities and events, which are the Employer’s responsibility, but that YUFA has supported events and activities that promote democratic trade unionism, as distinguished from study of democratic trade unionism.
Email Motion
31 March 2009: Motion: That Executive approve Nicola Short as an additional volunteer for the Subcommittee to produce a discussion paper regarding bargaining in a broad context. Carried.
President – Arthur Hilliker
Motion: That YUFA write to CUPE 3903, copied to the Employer, with regard to mediation-arbitration of the CUPE 3903 Renewal Collective Agreement: that CUPE 3903 fully recognize, on a par with CUPE experience and for purposes of seniority / incumbency, years of service by YUFA CLAs who have not had their contracts renewed. Carried.
A. Hilliker agreed to write to the mediator-arbitrator as soon as appointed, copied to the Employer and CUPE 3903, concerning implications of the Employer's proposals and CUPE 3903's proposals for the YUFA Collective Agreement.
A. Hilliker requested that Executive members review and comment on the interim Contract Review Committee’s (CRC) report, provided prior to the CUPE 3903 strike.
A. Hilliker reported on meetings and communications with CUPE 3903, along with VP External L. Visano.
Executive agreed to hold a Special General Meeting in early March.
Vice President Internal – Mary Kandiuk
M. Kandiuk reported having met with the Employer concerning remediation. YUFA has reserved the right to continue negotiating concerning compensation for YUFA members replacing the work of YUFA members on leave during the remediation period.
Executive agreed to put out a call as soon as possible on YUFA-M for prospective appointees to the Financial Information Subcommittee (FISC), the Joint Subcommittee on Benefits (Article 7.06), and the Grievance Committee (these have been posted).
L. Visano read the letter to CUPE 3903 concerning terminated CLAs, tripartite discussions, and YUFA membership, and reported on CUPE 3903’s responses.
L. Visano discussed his activities, including the Toronto and York Region Labour Council general membership meeting.
OCUFA’s Collective Bargaining Committee (CBC) has requested that YUFA report on the impact of the CUPE 3903 strike on YUFA's impending bargaining. W. Whiteley has agreed to do this.
L. Visano will publicize to YUFA members the METRAC training sessions and safety audit walkabouts.
YUFA Executive made the following appointments:
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To the Joint Benefits Subcommittee: Nuri Jazairi
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To the YUFA Grievance Subcommittee: John Bell, Peter Duerr, Bernie Lightman, Ben Lowinsky, and Gerard Naddaf
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To the Joint Financial Information Committee: Ellie Perkins and Ricardo Grinspun, with Gary Spraakman as an Alternate.
Vice President External – Livy Visano
A. Hilliker reported that Executive has approved $20,000 for the CUPE 3903 Hardship Fund, up to $20,000 towards CUPE 3903’s expenses in the initial phase of its strike, and $20,000 for the York University Undergraduate Student Hardship Fund.
Motion: That YUFA Executive support the petition to reverse the 27 January 2009 Federal Budget’s statement that scholarships granted by SSHRC will be focused on business-related degrees. Carried.
Treasurer – Ray Rogers
R. Rogers submitted YUFA’s current budget figures for information.
Motion: That YUFA donate an additional $10,000 to the York University Undergraduate Student Hardship Fund. Carried.
Communications Officer – Louise Ripley
The Communications Officer reported on issues of communication during the CUPE 3903 strike.
Chief Stewards – David Cabianca & Suzie Young:
D. Cabianca and S. Young reported on grievances.
Association of Retired Faculty and Librarians – Alex Murray
It was suggested that organizations and individuals who have an interest in the shadow pension issue write to the FSCO Tribunal or make a presentation at the Tribunal.
JCOAA will take up the question of December 2008 retirees at its 6 March meeting.
YUFA will try to secure a compete list of retirees from the Employer.
Correspondence Received:
P. Stewart outlined CAUT’s position on Teaching Stream Appointments (TSAs) and precarious employment.
A. Hilliker reported that YUFA has received a ‘thank you’ letter for its donation to the York University Undergraduate Student Hardship Fund.
Order of the Day:
Executive heard concerns of current and recent CLAs, including the urgent issue of parity of YUFA CLA seniority / incumbency with CUPE 3903 experience. A. Hilliker invited current CLAs to meet with the Contract Review Committee.
In response to the Race Equity Caucus’s (REC’s) query concerning Affirmative Action in an SRC-like program, A. Hilliker indicated that YUFA should consider negotiating Affirmative Action provisions not only for CUPE conversions but also for any future SRCs. If the Employer and CUPE 3903 were to agree to Teaching Stream Appointments as a result of mediation, the Employer would then need to bring this agreement to YUFA, where it would be subject to a secret ballot by YUFA members. With regard to such a program resulting from arbitration, A. Hilliker reported that YUFA has written to the arbitrator, indicating that the arbitrator has no jurisdiction over the YUFA Collective Agreement, a point with which the Employer has agreed. Accordingly, such an agreement would require tripartite negotiation by YUFA, the Employer, and CUPE 3903.
In response to REC’s query concerning the results of the Bargaining Priorities Questionnaire, A. Hilliker indicated that although there was limited support for a 30% target for visible minorities in units with 40% or more females among YUFA members, such a proposal could still be included as a Bargaining Priority for the upcoming Renewal Collective Agreement, as it was in negotiations for the 2006-09 Collective Agreement.
In response to REC’s query concerning the Joint Task Force on Inclusivity and Diversity’s Equity Survey, M. Kandiuk recounted the delays in its completion and reported the Employer’s contention that it is not required to meet its obligations in this regard until the end of the 2006-09 Collective Agreement.
Email Motion (carried)
That YUFA pay the enrolment fee for its Communications Officer to take the teleseminar with Metzger Associates on crisis communication.
President – Arthur Hilliker
Motion: That YUFA Executive re-affirms its support of free collective bargaining and does not endorse a ratification vote of CUPE 3903 members as forced by the Employer. Carried unanimously.
Motion: That YUFA Executive strongly urges all YUFA members to respect individual CUPE 3903 members’ rights in the forced ratification vote to vote freely and according to their conscience. We urge all YUFA members to respect CUPE members’ rights to vote freely. Carried unanimously.
Motion: That YUFA Executive, recognizing the power relations implicit in the roles of YUFA members and CUPE 3903 members, does not endorse any YUFA member attempting to influence how a CUPE 3903 member might vote in the forced ratification vote and that the substance of these motions be conveyed to CUPE 3903’s Executive and publicized to YUFA members via YUFA-M. Carried unanimously.
A. Hilliker reported that he received a letter from Jim Turk, Executive Director of CAUT, cc. to President Shoukri, Penni Stewart, President of CAUT, and Victor Caetano, Chair of the CAUT Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee, that a copy of the CAUT Report on the Vari Hall Incident of January 2005 had been circulated on the YUFORUM list-serv. The letter related that, in view of this breach of confidentiality, CAUT will have to revise its procedures for distribution of such reports.
A. Hilliker reported on the most recent consultation of himself, W. Whiteley, and L. Visano with CUPE 3903’s Unit 2 Bargaining Team on 20 January 2009. A. Hilliker and W. Whiteley identified the following aspects of Unit 2’s proposals concerning ‘Teaching and Service Appointments’: starting salary; PTR; course and service load; Affirmative Action; CLA seniority; sabbatical leaves; criteria for appointment review, including relationship to existing Alternate Stream category.
A. Hilliker reported that he has sought a legal opinion concerning any change to the YUFA Collective Agreement that might result from the CUPE 3903 arbitration and as a result will be instructing YUFA counsel to write the mediator-arbitrator that in his capacity as an arbitrator, he has no jurisdiction over the YUFA Collective Agreement.
Vice President Internal – Mary Kandiuk
Motion: That, in the interest of the greater York University community, YUFA Executive urgently calls on President Shoukri to provide direct leadership in the discussion and processes of the present labour dispute. Carried unanimously.
Motion: That a list of YUFA members’ concerns and initiatives by JCOAA regarding YUFA members’ return-to-class be circulated to YUFA members via YUFA-M and that further concerns of individual YUFA members, including matters of Health and Safety, be solicited in confidence. Carried.
Motion: That the President of YUFA act immediately to demand a meeting with the Vice-President Finance & Administration and, failing that, with the President of York University, in order to address the urgent matter of establishing back-to-class working conditions and to communicate, respond, and take action on a timely resolution of ongoing YUFA business including other JCOAA and C&G concerns. Moved by D. Brock; seconded by: W. Whiteley. Carried.
M. Kandiuk reported that she and D. Khayatt will respond to Dean Lenton’s response to the Task Force on Diversity and Inclusivity questionnaire as a basis for feedback from other YUFA members of the Task Force.
Vice President External – Livy Visano
Motion: That YUFA Executive approve an additional donation of $10,000 to the York University Undergraduate Student Hardship Fund. Carried.
Early in the CUPE 3903 strike, YUFA Executive agreed to provide $20,000 to assist CUPE in paying for strike expenses.
Executive agreed to publicize a call for up to 8 YUFA members to serve as delegates to the monthly meetings of the Toronto & York Regional Labour Council (T&YRLC).
Equity Officers – Didi Khayatt & Debi Brock
D. Brock reported on ongoing Equity Officers’ discussions. In response to a request from the Race Equity Caucus, D. Brock will invite them to the 9 February Executive meeting for a discussion of their concerns.
Other Business
Motion: That Executive call a Special General Meeting as soon as possible to discuss the CUPE 3903 strike and prioritize establishing an agenda for this SGM, recognizing that this agenda might need to be amended. Carried. Executive agreed that the agenda for the SGM would include the following items: information concerning back-to-class working conditions, information concerning “Teaching Service Appointment”-related categories in YUFA; Committee-of-the-Whole; motions.
Correspondence Received:
Executive agreed to invite CLAs to participate in Executive’s meeting of 2 February to express their concerns. Executive also agreed that L. Visano will contact CUPE 3903 concerning an email note that was sent from a gmail account to those YUFA members who signed the petition asking them to settle the strike, and if necessary, will contact the Employer concerning this breach of York’s anti-spam policy.
Email Motion
15 January 2009: Be it resolved that the President or in his absence the Vice-President External of YUFA immediately communicate to the media YUFA's position regarding the forced ratification vote, and to disassociate YUFA, as the mandated representative of York faculty from any interference or pressures on CUPE 3903 members on how to vote.
President – Arthur Hilliker
Arthur Hilliker reported on a meeting of himself, VP External, Livy Visano, and Stewards’ Council Representative, Walter Whiteley with all three of the Unit-II members of the CUPE 3903 negotiating team, which included an account of the Employer’s framework for teaching renewable appointments within YUFA.
Executive agreed that YUFA’s Equity Officers will contact CUPE 3903’s negotiating team concerning equity issues and will report back to YUFA Executive.
Vice President Internal – Mary Kandiuk
Executive agreed to donate $350 to a food bank of CUPE 1281’s choice in lieu of a holiday lunch for YUFA’s CUPE 1281 staff.
Vice President External – Livy Visano
Executive approved a motion to donate $1000 per week for the length of the current strike to the CUPE 3903 Hardship Fund, as directed by YUFA’s 19 November 2008 Special General Meeting.
YUFA will donate $10,000 to the York University Undergraduate Student Hardship Fund to address the financial hardship fund of undergraduate students.
Executive agreed to encourage YUFA members to participate in the METRAC survey, once the CUPE 3903 strike has been settled.
L. Visano reported that the Ad Hoc Committee wants there to be more Stewards on Stewards’ Council. Executive discussed the process by which groups elect stewards, including Article 4.3.c of the YUFA Constitution and By-law 7.
L. Visano reported that the Ad Hoc Committee will provide Executive and the YUFA caucus of JCOAA with a list of members’ concerns about the CUPE 3903 strike. Executive agreed that questions concerning remediation be conveyed to VP Internal, Mary Kandiuk and other, communications-related issues be conveyed to Communications Officer, Louise Ripley. M. Kandiuk reported that the YUFA caucus of JCOAA, plus Stewards’ Council rep Walter Whiteley met to discuss members’ concerns about a back-to-class protocol upon the conclusion of the CUPE 3903 strike and has been exploring with the possibility of meeting with Senate Executive. M. Kandiuk emphasized to YUFA Executive that precedents for YUFA’s role in such an arrangement are still unclear.
L. Visano reported that the Ad Hoc Committee would like to make available to YUFA members an online venue (e.g., a blog, bulletin board, list-serv, or Facebook utility) to facilitate discussion of YUFA-related issues by YUFA members. Potential problems with such a venue were discussed. L. Ripley reminded Executive that anything to be posted on the YUFA Website is approved by the Communications Officer and indicated that all bulletins or communiqués prepared by the Ad Hoc Committee should be identified as coming from the Ad Hoc Committee at the outset, rather than at the end. A. Hilliker suggested that the Ad Hoc Committee send to A. Hilliker any statements or bulletins it wishes to be sent to, or read-out at, Senate, as-is or in excerpted or paraphrased form (noting that there will not be time for the December meeting), subject to the approval of YUFA Executive.
L. Visano reported that the Ad Hoc Committee wants the minutes of the 4 December 2008 Special General Meeting to be posted on the YUFA Website as soon as possible. L. Ripley distributed her summary of the 4 December Special General Meeting to be posted on the YUFA Website along with the draft minutes of the 4 December Special General Meeting.
President – Arthur Hilliker
Arthur Hilliker distributed the Contract Review Committee’s Report and asked Executive members to send comments to the Chair. He also distributed confidential copies of the Bargaining Survey’s results.
Arthur Hilliker reported on meetings of himself and Livy Visano, VP External, with representatives of CUPE 3903 and the Employer, and of himself and Walter Whiteley, Stewards’ Representative to Executive, with representatives of CUPE 3903 concerning SRC-related issues in CUPE 3903’s current round of bargaining.
Executive approved Arthur Hilliker, Livy Visano, and Walter Whiteley to undertake tripartite discussions with CUPE 3903 and the Employer concerning SRC-related issues.
Vice President External – Livy Visano
Executive agreed to pay for the registration of up to ten YUFA members for the 2009 CAUT Equity Forum to be held 6-8 February in Toronto, the deadline for applications being 1 December.
Executive agreed that, in view of the 12 November 2008 application deadline, we will re-issue the call for members to attend the OCUFA Status of Women Conference.
Executive agreed to donate $10,000 to the CUPE 3903 Hardship Fund.
Executive agreed to call a Special Membership Meeting for information sharing, members’ concerns and sentiments concerning YUFA-related issues of the ongoing CUPE 3903 strike.
Livy Visano reported that YUFA’s Ad Hoc CUPE 3903 Support & Communications Committee has been preparing bulletins and communiqués for dissemination to YUFA members. He also reported that OCUFA and other faculty associations will be represented at YUFA’s 26 November 2008 meeting at York’s Main Gate. Ildiko Kovacs indicated she will urge YUFA Stewards to bring unit members to picket at this event.
Executive agreed to donate $1,000 to the CUPE 3903 Hardship Fund this week, as directed by YUFA’s 19 November 2008 Special General Meeting.
Executive agreed to donate $500 to the UpFront Theatre’s Workshop on Violence against Women.
Treasurer – Ray Rogers
Ray Rogers reported that a committee consisting of himself, President Arthur Hilliker, Vice President Internal Mary Kandiuk, and staff person Heidi Bishop are preparing a proposal concerning Executive compensation and course release.
Equity Officers – Didi Khayatt & Deborah Brock
The Equity Officers reported on the YUFA Special General Meeting’s resolution to include Affirmative Action in the proposal to be taken to CUPE 3903.
Communications Officer – Louise Ripley
The Communications Officer is away recovering from surgery.
Association of Retired Faculty and Librarians – Alex Murray
Alex Murray reported on ARFL’s concerns about Professional Expense Reimbursement, compensation for thesis and dissertation supervision, and benefits for retirees.
Item for Discussion
Executive directed Arthur Hilliker to invite Senate Executive to meet with YUFA Executive to discuss the Consultation Paper on Senate Reform.
President – Arthur Hilliker
Executive approved taking the FSCO complaints to the Financial Services Tribunal.
James Turk has informed YUFA that the CAUT Report into the events of 20 January 2005 in Vari Hall cannot be distributed to Stewards’ Council or to YUFA members.
Arthur Hilliker will request that the YUFA Executive Committee meet with President Shoukri, as provided for in the Collective Agreement, to discuss matters of mutual concern. Issues raised by Executive members include:
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the impact of the proposed medical school,
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new faculty appointments,
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a proposal to review Tenure and Promotions procedures,
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implications of the 2% cut (e.g., effects on academic programs, including evening and summer teaching), and
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issues arising from the recent discussion with CAUT and the Employer regarding the CAUT Report.
The Contract Review Committee continues to compile a list of members’ bargaining concerns. Executive approved 15 October as the deadline for submitting completed copies of the Bargaining Survey.
Arthur Hilliker has informed the Employer that any discussions regarding the CUPE 3903 proposal concerning an SRC-like program must be tripartite (CUPE / YUFA / Employer), and that YUFA’s position would be subject to approval by YUFA’s membership.
Vice President External – Livy Visano
YUFA will pay the registration for up to five members to attend the OCUFA Status of Women conference to be held in Toronto on 24-25 January 2009.
Livy Visano will encourage Glendon YUFA members to meet with METRAC.
Executive agreed to subsidize the attendance of both Grievance Officers at the 12-14 December 2008 CAUT Senior Grievance Officers’ workshop.
Treasurer – Ray Rogers
Executive voted to receive the budgeted and actual figures for May to August, 2008.
Equity Officers – Didi Khayatt & Deborah Brock
Access York has agreed to have a representative from YUFA; Didi Khayatt will represent YUFA in her capacity as an Equity Officer.
Communications Officer – Louise Ripley
Executive Officers will be reporting on interesting aspects of their portfolios in Active Voice (Reactivated).
Louise Ripley attended the OCUFA Collective Bargaining Conference and learned that OCUFA has instituted a Bargaining Award for long, productive service in negotiations.
Orders of the Day
Mary Kandiuk provided an update of issues in the Joint Committee on the Administration of the Agreement. Issues include the refusal of Expense Reimbursement for claims more than 6 months old.
President – Arthur Hilliker
Didi Khayatt volunteered to serve as an alternate for YUFA’s presence as Observer at Senate APPC meetings.
The Contract Review Subcommittee has neared the end of its work, but still remains open to hear from members by email.
Executive has received the decision on FSCO and we are disappointed with the results.
Vice President External – Livy Visano
YUFA contributed $1,000 to the Centre for Social Justice and $800 to Rastafest.
Executive members met with CAUT and the Employer regarding the CAUT Report on the Vari Hall Incident.
Livy Visano as Vice President External met with:
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The Arts / Atkinson Dean’s Search Committee and Town Hall Meetings;
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The University Safety Audit Committee;
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Promote and Partner Members’ Research with the Community;
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Members of the Executive meeting with YFS Vice President Equity and Services;
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CUPE 3903 several times re: their proposals that affect our Collective Agreement;
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The OCUFA Board Meeting, June 2008.
He also apprised Executive of an upcoming conference: NUCAUT The Canadian Labour Congress 3rd National Disability Rights Conference, “Shatter the Barriers: Persons with Disabilities at Work”, to be held 15-18 November 2008 at Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel, Montreal.
Chief Stewards – David Cabianca & Suzie Young
The Chief Stewards reported on ongoing grievance issues.
Equity Officers – Didi Khayatt & Debbie Brock
Executive agreed to consider a suitable date around early November for an open event at York on how to frame equity proposals for YUFA’s upcoming round of collective bargaining.
Communications Officer – Louise Ripley
Louise Ripley reported on discussions with YUFA members through the Contract Review Subcommittee.
Treasurer – Ray Rogers
Executive approved the financial reports. Ray Rogers thanked YUFA staff and the auditor for all the work that goes into these reports.
ARFL Standing Report – Alex Murray
Alex Murray reported that ARFL will draft a document for submission to the Financial Services tribunal concerning faculty and librarians who, during 2002-03, were contemplating retirement. He also raised the issue of Senior Scholars being denied support for conference travel although they hold external research grants, teach, or supervise graduate students and suggested that this issue be taken back to the Joint Committee on the Administration of the Agreement.
Orders of the Day
Representatives of the York Federation of Students discussed the 5 November provincial Student Day of Action concerning university fees. Executive agreed to formally support YFS’s Senate motion to accommodate students for participating in the Student Day of Action.
Executive expressed its support for YUFA members who have retired from York University but with their scholarly work, research and/or teaching at York University continue to be active members of the academic community at York and seek fair and equitable compensation for the graduate supervision work they have performed and continue to perform for the Faculty of Graduate Studies. YUFA opposes age discrimination in employments. Executive proposed specific implementation to back this support.
Executive agreed to send the Faculty of Environmental Studies’ and the Arts / Humanities’ issues of reduction of teaching load to arbitration.
Other Business
Executive approved the Executive Officers’ Workplan for 2008 / 2009.
Executive appointed Louise Ripley to the OCUFA Collective Bargaining Committee.
Executive approved $5,000 for promotional items for such events as New Faculty Lunches.