RRUFA minutes – March 2015

RRUFA March 2015 Monthly Meeting Minutes

March 10, 2015

LIC Centre for Dialogue

Present:

Niels Agger-Gupta P Geoff Archer   Jo Axe P Brian Belcher P
Geoffrey Bird   David Black P Judith Blanchette   Tony Boydell P
Connie Carter   Elizabeth Childs P Kenneth Christie P Robin Cox  
Ann Dale   Audrey Dallimore   Matt Dodd P Juana Du  
Catherine Etmanski P Lois Fearon   Joshua Guilar   Doug Hamilton  
Brigitte Harris P Ingrid Kajzer-Mitchell   Julia Jahanzoosi P Leslie King  
Richard Kool P Charles Krusekopf P Zhenyi Li   Ron Lindstrom P
Chris Ling P Stephen Long P Will Low   Eva Malisius  
Kathleen Manion P Virginia McKendry P Will Meredith   Robert Mittelman  
Jonathan Moran P Jessica Mussell P Mickie Noble   Eileen Piggot-Irvine  
Terry Power   Siomonn Pulla P Michael Real   Carolin Rekar Munro  
Chaseten Remillard   Wendy Rowe P Erich Schellhammer P Bernard Schissel  
Jean Slick   Marilyn Taylor   Eugene Thomlinson P Mike Thompson P
Phillip Vannini   George Veletsianos P Hassan Wafai   Jennifer Walinga  
Rebecca Wilson Mah   Michael Young   Amy Zidulka    

(Present: 26 of 59 total Members)

CONTENTS:

  1. March Monthly Meeting called to order at 12: 10pm (President Kenneth Christie) 2
  2. Approval of February minutes:……………………………………………………………………………. 2
  3. New Business:……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2

3.1 Welcome to new Member, Dr. Elizabeth Childs – (who was unable to attend)……….. 2

3.2 Collective Agreement Ratification Vote Results – Niels…………………………………………. 2

3.3 UNBC Strike: David and Rick (flying Pickets) Update and Motion…………………………. 2

3.4 Special Guests: Dr. Doug Baer, President of CUFA BC, & Dr. Michael Conlon, new Executive Director of CUFA BC:……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3

3.5 Paz Buttedahl Peace Garden – from Ann Dale – (Rick:) -……………………………………… 5

3.5 Stephen Long: Retirement…………………………………………………………………………………… 6

3.6. Celebratory Cake…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 7

  1. Old Business:………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 7

4.1. Budget and Financial Statements (Mike)……………………………………………………………… 7

  1. Regular Reports:………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 7

5.1 Bargaining: (Wendy with rest of Bargaining Team: Chris, Eugene, Will, David)……. 7

5.2 Board of Governors: (Charles)……………………………………………………………………………… 8

5.3 Academic Council: (Rick)……………………………………………………………………………………… 9

5.4 CUFA-BC: (Rick)………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 9

5.5 Website: (Will)………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 9

5.6 Social: (The “Two Geoffs”)………………………………………………………………………………….. 9

5.7 Grievance Report: (David)……………………………………………………………………………………. 9

5.8 Health & Safety: (Rick)…………………………………………………………………………………………. 9

  1. Other Business:……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 9
  2. Adjournment:……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 9

 

 

 

1.      March Monthly Meeting called to order at 12: 10pm (President Kenneth Christie)

2.      Approval of February minutes:

Moved by Virginia – seconded by Stephen.

All in favour.

3.      New Business:

3.1 Welcome to new Member, Dr. Elizabeth Childs – (who was unable to attend).

(See: http://www.royalroads.ca/people/elizabeth-childs)

 

3.2 Collective Agreement Ratification Vote Results – Niels

The RRUFA Collective Agreement (CA) Ratification online vote closed at midnight with 47 votes – all “Accept” and no “Reject” votes. While this is 100% of those voting, we currently have 59 Members, which makes this 78.3% of all Members who have actively accepted the Agreement.

[There was a round of applause for Wendy and the Bargaining Team!]

 

3.3 UNBC Strike: David and Rick (flying Pickets) Update and Motion

David went up courtesy of CAUT and RRUFA paid for Rick to go.

UNBC is a “quirky university” but the community was behind the UNBC Faculty Association. The FA there has had a difficult time. Salaries are 20% below comparable organizations; they are underpaid, even in comparison with RRU. They unionized a year ago – went into negotiations a few months ago – but the negotiations on the part of the administration were botched. The held a strike vote a month ago – and finally went out last week Thursday – a wet & windy day; they had flying pickets from CUFA-BC and CAUT and elsewhere up on Friday.

 

Rick said there was a “tremendous feeling on picket lines” – and even the local sheriff transporting some people in custody came by, and all waved to the picketers. Students brought snacks to faculty: students dropped off popcorn and potato chips. It was not clear how this would work if the strike continues much longer. The feeling they have “wiggle room” because the University’s bargaining team seems to be “lost” – They are negotiating with the two deans, no senior people at university. There does not appear to be anyone helping the deans find their way out of the mess…

 

David: This strike has been interesting to watch; salary is about the same as ours; this is a test of the university’s ability to pay; The University has made all kinds of capital expenses in upgrades rather than investing in faculty and staff. UNBC on own will not be enough to test the provincial mandate; but it is not clear what that mandate is.

 

Ken: There has been a further call for more flying pickets; CAUT Defense Fund will pay for one and RRUFA could also pay for another… Let Ken know… If you have never been to Prince George; what an opportunity!
[Note that Michael volunteered but the strike was ended with an administration option in their agreement to call them back to the bargaining table before this cold take place – perhaps there will be an update for the April meeting.]

3.4 Special Guests: Dr. Doug Baer, President of CUFA BC, & Dr. Michael Conlon, new Executive Director of CUFA BC:

What is the role of CUFA-BC and what issues are currently critical?

 

Doug Baer: Michael Conlon, joined CUFA-BC in December; they had been without an ED since July, when Doug took over the Presidency. CUFA-BC uses the rotation system; different universities take turns as President. Rick was very helpful to Doug. The current VP, Dr. Jim Johnson from UBC will be the next President in about 18 months.

 

Michael comes from the Staff Association of UBC – Michael is enthusiastic about a challenging job. CUFA BC is the smallest provincial org that runs an office. CUFA Ontario has 15 staff and an office; CAFA in AB has 2 people. CUFA-BC has 1.6 FTEs.

 

We operate on a shoestring budget. Lobbying is in our mandate and is challenging in the present provincial environment; Interaction with BC government is unlike Ontario (O-CUFA) – System -– There is a sister organization, the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators (FPSE), with 19 organizations is for the former community colleges. VIU, for example, is not part of CUFA – That is also the case in AB. I recently discovered how poorly paid these people are: VIU has salary caps at $80K; that is the career maximum in those jobs. Faculty positions start at $53K. I realize, coming from Ontario, how poorly off BC is, and these professionals are even more poorly off.

 

 

Michael Conlon: Thanks! I am excited and delighted to be here… It is a daunting role; we have limited resources. There is an opportunity for the voice of research faculty across the province to weigh in and be heard in BC.

 

My previous role was as ED of the Administration and Staff unit at UBC – that is, everyone who does not teach. Everyone from landscape architect to the football coach is in the union. It has 4,000 members. I served in that role for 5 ½ years and for 3 years as Chief Negotiator on the bargaining team for UBC in some very tough circumstances. UBC in many ways is a shocking employer; I had an immersion in adversarial labour relations.

 

In my role with CUFA – this is a transition out of a turbulent adversarial labour situation to where I am now working with FAs to build capacity – but also in a challenging environment. – Prior to ED of APS, I was head of bargaining for CAUT… Last picket line was at St. Thomas strike. Faculty are better paid, partly as a result of a more militant stance and funding environment. Previously I had been a senior policy advisor in Ontario government… Part of directorate that was spending $6 Billion in education – It was an exciting time; building something instead of opposing something.

 

BC strategy of is one of austerity – people receiving about 90 cents on dollar compared to other faculty in Canada. The fight at UNBC is a critical fight for all faculty in province. They have a just cause, and they are doing good work in educating members. Their line remains strong; they have out-organized the university;

 

CUFA-BC is self and an exec admin + the officers. The organization must tap into political will of members. There was a February 10 strategy session which Rick and Ken participated in. The organization will be a reflection of the skills and aptitudes of the people involved. Without moving in on the CAUT space, I have been doing a tag team with Neil Tudiver, from CAUT – he is, of course, a former colleague.

 

We have been at hostile tables before… UNBC is first research university to go on strike: issues there are fundamental. Role of CUFA – BC has been to let people know that gov’t salaries are out of whack with other provinces in other sectors; we are providing policy expertise to PSEC. They are dealing with this in other parts of government, too.

 

We respect and understand each institutional culture. We want to hear from you what CUFA could be doing. There were a number of specific things from our strategy session. Government relations – we have limited scope at moment; will let you know how it goes.

 

We are meeting with Minister of Advanced Ed. We are interested in Grad Scholarships. In comparison with Alberta and Ontario, the BC – per student grants are down; there is $14M less in 2015-16 for post-secondary scholarships…. We are here to listen to you! Open to questions…

 

 

Questions?

Q: What is your assessment of the UNBC situation?

 

Michael C.: UNBC part of CAUT defense fund; unlike the teachers in BC; there appears to be significant pressure on the BC government. There are several windows to settle this strike. In the next week or two – is a window – to save the term. It was good strategy for UNBC faculty to stayed in the job during Canada Winter Games and bought themselves lots of public good will. There is concern the longer the strike goes, it will be a challenge to keep students on side. There was some tactical advice for students to go to the CUFA-BC site for information on the strike. The UNBC site has little information there; both sides are under pressure… There are some internal resources at UNBC… The provincial government has done a good job of staying out of the dispute so far. Our position has been that this is between the UNBC FA and their administration. Each institution should have a free hand in negotiating…

 

Ken: What about coordinating pickets across BC?

 

Michael: We have been lending my expertise to UNBC on a regular basis – on tactical communications advice; Flying pickets largely organized through the CAUT Defence Fund ; informal coordination with SFU and others.

 

Ken: CUFA could send out a bulletin about the strike.

 

Charles: (FA rep on RRU Board of Governors) – BC Jobs Plan – literature was sent to the RRU BoG. This does not mention higher education much at all other than bringing in foreign students. Is there any shift toward any other strategies?

 

Doug: Given the failure of LNG – as an immediate job generator and probably as a long-term job strategy. Minister Virk was at one point was suggesting “LNGU” – but now they are talking about a diversified economy, but this requires them to be doing something to support this… For now there is a window of opportunity – if BC has done well because of a diversified economy – why is that?

 

Michael: I was in the budget lock-up. It was shocking how little interest this government has in post-secondary policy. This is unlike Ontario where universities are run off their feet because of the bad ideas government has about universities there. They are forcing institutions to pick their top 10 programs to fund. They are re-jigging the funding formula along these lines. This is a real intrusion on university autonomy. I think it is both a relief and a concern that the BC government has so far not been uninterested in post-secondary policy. If they ever did get interested, I suspect their ideas would not be favourable to us and to our members. It is a case of being careful what you wish for. This Jobs blueprint has so far been it… Most research institutions meet 25% jobs readiness without rejigging their funding formula. It may be just a whole lot of optics. The more government intrudes, the worse it will be for our members.

 

Ken: thanks you very much

[Round of applause for Doug and Michael]

 

3.5 Paz Buttedahl Peace Garden – from Ann Dale – (Rick:) –

First CA was gained in large measure from Paz Buttedahl, who was President of RRUFA from 2005 until her death in 2007. Paz was to be CUFA BC president in 2008, but Rick then took over a number of years after Paz had passed away. Ann Dale has been trying to get a peace garden here in Paz’s name for some time. The gardeners are interested in supporting this and suggested the plots on the east side of Grant, near the road that goes down, as a peace garden.

 

Ann said she would pay for cost of a brass plaque to go there to commemorate Paz’s contribution to the university. Ann has asked me to present this to RRUFA. The gardeners will do the work, but we need a motion to purchase the plants for the peace garden at the side of the Grant Building – the gardeners have already agreed to plan these and look after this garden.

 

Motion: RRUFA commit to $1,000 for purchase of appropriate plants.

Moved by Rick; Seconded by David
[All in favour.]

 

Q: the plants cannot be invasive –

 

Rick: The plants are all native species, and perennials, and will be “hummingbird attractive plants” and will come from Thimble Plants on Saltspring Island.

 

Q: How much land needs to be carved off of the hill?

 

Rick: The gardens are already there…

 

Q: Will there be a formal request to Allan and Dan that we will do this…

 

Rick: The gardens are already there, so this does not add to the load of the gardeners, this simply honors Paz. If we pay for plants, Ann plays for the plaque, and I will write the letter for Allan!

 

All in favour…

 

3.5 Stephen Long: Retirement

 

Stephen: “Given that this my last meeting, I wanted to reflect on the past. Many of you may know that is where this began as a faculty association in the days of Jim McTaggart-Cowan and Chris Duff. I was the first Vice President of that association. It is just interesting to reflect on the evolution, growth and sophistication of this movement, our faculty. We were nine in the beginning, and now we are 57. It is pretty amazing! It has been quite an honor, and I am pleased to see the evolution of the FA. I just wanted say I have enjoyed working with you and being part of this group, and I wish you continued success in your negotiations. In particular, I wish you continued success as you work toward the inclusion of Associate Faculty, of which I will soon become one of, going forward. So that’s all I really wanted to say. It has been fun!”

 

Ken: Thank you, Stephen!

[A big round of applause for Stephen!]

 

3.6. Celebratory Cake

Ken: Now we are going to eat cake!

David: There are two cakes fused together: the bottom half is a sponge cake with lychee and berries, and the top half is a chocolate layer cake. It is from Crust Bakery on Fort!

 

[Cake break!]

 

4. Old Business:

4.1. Budget and Financial Statements (Mike)

MIke: 2014/2015 statements – we have had feedback from Ken and Niels – It is time to have our statements reviewed professionally – since we have over $200K. There is a prudent need to have a second set of eyes. We think it will cost about $750 – $800 to do this. Part of my role is to investigate liability insurance for directors – agency approved by CUFA-BC;

 

Q: This was only an income statement; can we do a full balance sheet?

 

Mike: we have done it this way since we have no receivables. We can have the accounting firm do this for us. In the past we have never done a balance sheet, just a statement of income. When I took over the role from Charles 6 or 7 years ago, we just did a statement of income based on the bank statement of cash flows and a budget. If you did a balance sheet you would just have cash in the bank – our assets – we don’t have any receivables at all. On the other side you would have the equity or the reserves. If you are asking for assets – it is cash in bank – there are no debts… My plan is to go to an accounting firm that I have dealt with over the years and ask them to prepare a notice of restatement, which would include a balance sheet. This is just an operational issue – don’t need a motion.

Q: a number of colleague organizations want to do a forensic audit of university’s books – just numbers and no way to figure out what is going on… There is a couple at the University of M profs who do this… The lack of clarity and time-series data from the university is– troubling because we are not able to see what is going on financially.

 

5.      Regular Reports:

5.1 Bargaining: (Wendy with rest of Bargaining Team: Chris, Eugene, Will, David)

 

Wendy: in 2 years we will need to look at bigger issues – we will have to look at Associate Faculty – work force completely controlled by management – we are down to 59 – had 61 a year ago…

[Niels: HR counts positions as 62 – but some positions have no people in them at the moment.]

 

Q: on CA – part is email for individuals -D does Z drive go or stay on retirement?

 

Wendy: in CAMP the permissions dictate what can do – this would be similar to what Faculty Emeritus would have – There is a JCOAA – to have conversations. The administration of the Research and Scholarship Leave will set up a committee shortly! Draft application forms will come out for comment.

 

Q: What other top questions should come up for next round of bargaining?

 

Wendy: Salary – they have bigger order issues at UNBC, but our salaries are poorer; depending on what happens in university sector – we may be asserting stronger position…

 

Rick: RRU ‘s ability to pay is a function of the RRU Reserves.

 

Wendy: We receive a smaller percentage of BC funding compared to other universities… we are always falling further behind. In 2 years we will need to look at bigger issues – we will have to look at the Associate Faculty – this is a work force completely controlled by management.

 

Comment: There has been no salary increase for Associate Faculty in in 10 years…

 

5.2 Board of Governors: (Charles)

Charles: The RRU financial model is much simpler than others – but it is hard to understand – in part because it is extremely centralized. 2 years from now both the CFO and the President will retire. It is hard to imagine a more conservative CFO than the one we have had. RRU has had over $4M profit this year. Expenses came in at 93% of revenues this year. Province puts an extremely tight limit on the reserve fund, allowing capital expenditures only. However, in a good year, and by renting out the dorms – we are able to stockpile money… Have $45M in bank for capital projects and it seems we don’t intend to spend this…

 

A second issue at other universities is divestment from fossil fuel companies stock- UBC FA voted for UBC to divest. RRU has $45M in GICs and only very few “risky wild” bonds. Only $ in RRU Foundation $700K is in equities.We hold stocks through mutal funds – we do not hold anything like this.TD Bank is talking about sustainability. The Investment Policy of the Board – simply says, “be ethical” whichi is a little vague. Some things are not invested in – military and tobacco – but there is no policy around fossil fuels… Warning on Risk levels -0 on limiting what they can invest in… $5M from Sherman Jen – in GICs…

 

For the RRU 75th Anniversary celebrations, there will be a Sunset Ceremony April 25th… on the old parade ground… The President’s Gala will be held October 17 to raise $75K… They intend to charge $200/plate to build – what? – You will be hearing more about this!

 

Charles: There are now two new VP positions, Pedro is one but he has not heard anything about the FoM Dean search…

[Niels: Pedro will attend the May RRUFA meeting].

 

Q: lack of transparency on dean hires – very closed…

 

Ken: RRUFA to send a note to President about lack of open process.

 

Comment: As we look ahead for new CFO and President – we will need to have openness in the hiring process.

 

Q: is there a faculty member on any of these current Committees?

 

Wendy: if applicants request confidentiality – then they shut down public presentations for the whole lot… But this is problematic… this kind of confidentiality is not allowed for faculty searches… But the Dean of FoM competition could well be closed and we will never see any of the candidates …

 

5.3 Academic Council: (Rick)

(Nothing urgent – moved to next meeting.)

 

5.4  CUFA-BC: (Rick)

(See earlier notes on presentation)

5.5 Website: (Will)

(No new news)

 

5.6 Social: (The “Two Geoffs”)

Geoff and Geoff – not here – no activity. Catherine has said she will organize a faculty social this spring.

5.7 Grievance Report: (David)

(no news)

 

5.8 Health & Safety: (Rick)

(Nothing to report)

6.      Other Business:

(none)

7.      Adjournment:

Move to adjourn: 1:34 pm. Matt Dodd/George Veletsianos

 

Recorder: Niels Agger-Gupta