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Report on CAUT Librarians’ Conference & Workshop "Moving Forward: Academic Librarians & Collective Bargaining"
26-27 October 2007, Vancouver, British Columbia.
by Maura Matesic, Scott Library, York University
CAUT 2007 Librarians’ Conference Report
3 Dec 07 - The CAUT Librarians’ Conference entitled, “Moving Forward: Academic Librarians and Collective Bargaining,” held in Vancouver, BC, on the weekend of 26-27Oct. 2007 was an informative and educational event. With over 80 librarians, faculty and staff in attendance, it was the second largest conference in the history of CAUT librarian conferences – clearly illustrating the importance of collective bargaining to today’s academic librarian. The conference was organized to allow for both information sessions and attendee participation in workshop components of the program. This structure allowed all participants to immediately understand and apply concepts presented in the lecture / panel discussions through hands-on learning experiences.
In Canada, employers are assumed to have all rights not otherwise codified in law or clearly articulated in collective agreements. Beginning by contextualizing the importance of constructive collective bargaining in Canada today, Peter Simpson of CAUT explained the nature of collective bargaining and the role of participants in this arrangement. Collective bargaining is the framework in which work decisions are made, including all grievances and the implementation of new practices. Joint meetings (collective bargaining) between employers and unions work out a common understanding for the practices of the workplace. Fundamental to the concept of collective bargaining is the term “collective” – as in this situation employees surrender their individual voices and rights, to become one voice in a larger whole. The union is thus responsible for representing individuals as members of the collective.
Collective bargaining requires a formal structure for the process of negotiation and includes three primary steps: the creation of proposals, the development of a bargaining team, and a means for keeping the membership informed. Members of the collective, including librarians, must bring forward their unique concerns so the association can then represent these concerns in the negotiation process. Key issues that are commonly addressed include compensation, benefits, pension, parking, job security, workload. Good practices for collective bargaining require a focus on clear language, since issues not discussed and documented can leave members vulnerable.
Mr. Simpson highlighted the importance of balance in successful negotiations and he stressed the use of listening skills and the willingness to ask questions at the bargaining table. He also reminded participants that when employers are not swayed by convincing arguements, it is key to represent a strong united front of a unionized membership.
Paul Jones of CAUT continued the panel discussion with a presentation and discussion around key bargaining resources for participants.
Subsequent sessions focused on the librarian perspective and included discussions on librarian roles and relationships within the academic staff associations and librarian bargaining issues. Highlights from these sessions included the importance of framing librarian concerns in a language and context that can be understood by faculty – illustrating librarian qualifications, work and contributions in the academic structure; equity with faculty; participation on bargaining committees and working as an equal member on the committee, not “as the librarian”; and recognizing that librarians, as minority members in the association, are equally entitled to the rights of union membership. Also stressed in these discussions (and throughout the conference) was the need for librarians to view themselves as faculty members and helping others to see them as faculty. This requires increased communication and participation from all.
Practical applications and advice from panelists included such points as educating the bargaining team regarding librarian issues; knowing and presenting the trends and statistics regarding librarian work in general and for comparative institutions; keeping the discussion open; and placing librarian issues in the larger context.
The first day of the conference also included a passionate and engaging luncheon talk by Jim Sinclair, President of the BC Federation of Labour. Mr. Sinclair argued that, for unions, the struggle for the right to exist never ends. He encouraged delegates to participate, think big, and identify the priorities. He stressed that unity is the key to collective bargaining and the importance of educating the membership to move forward together.
The final part of the day prepared us for the planned workshop. During these final sessions we covered such topics as principles of clause drafting and basic negotiation skills for bargainers. To assist in this exercise we were provided with an extremely helpful booklet entitled, “CAUT Collective Bargaining Manual.” We were then divided into teams, assigned to either the management or union side, and given directives on bargaining priorities for the following day. Teams met amongst themselves for the remainder of the day and continued working though dinner that evening. Bargaining began first thing the following morning.
The workshop component of the conference was a thoroughly enjoyable and educational experience. Conference organizers worked to create a realistic environment with a negotiation room and separate breakout spaces for team caucus meetings. During this exercise, participants were encouraged to put the previous day’s theories into practice with the assistance of an experienced negotiator or mediator who monitored the process. While each set of teams were given the same guidelines and goals for negotiation, all of the groups arrived at different terms and results – clearly illustrating the unique nature of collective bargaining situations. And while our group came to an agreement with both sides accomplishing achievable measures and ceding some points, other groups ended the negotiations at a stalemate, or with a strike vote.
This was one of the most enjoyable and educational conferences I have attended in quite a while. It provided a great deal of information and a wonderful opportunity to interact and learn from my peers across the country. I would like to thank YUFA for supporting me to attend this event.
Other Reports from this Conference:
Arthur Hilliker