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We wish to inform you of a situation that concerns our working conditions and our working relationship with the University. In January, we learned that the University gave financial bonuses to certain CUPEU members who worked on the Unity project.
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Our collective agreement states that when a particular situation requires it, the University may make "adjustments for a particular employee or for certain employees” in the form of a stipend. In such cases, the collective agreement indicates that a joint committee comprised of the University and the Union determines the amount of the stipend (article 26.04).
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In the case of the Unity project bonuses, the University did not uphold its contractual obligation to follow Article 26. The University did not include the Union in this deliberation and unilaterally decided who should receive such stipends and how much particular members would receive. This prevented the Union from exercising its role in ensuring that the “bonuses” were distributed on an equitable basis among Union members (or, at least, to those Unity project members who might have received a stipend).
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According to information we obtained, some members on this project received large amounts while others received nothing. Furthermore, when we inquired about how it was decided who should receive a bonus, how much should be distributed and what justified the disparities among members of the same team, the University refused to provide a response.
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Based on these circumstances, the Union filed a grievance against the University on the grounds of contravening Article 26. To be clear, the Union's goal is not to take away any of the money paid to members. However, we do want to ensure that, going forward, if a particular situation arises that requires the University to offer a stipend to any of our members, fair and agreed-to compensation goes to any member involved.
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Above all, it is our duty to ensure that the collective agreement is respected by the University (without which there would be nothing preventing the University from taking away other rights from you or changing your working conditions as a professional employee of the institution); neither can the union allow the employer to overstep its role so blatantly without affecting its ability to negotiate better working conditions for its members in the future.
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The CUPEU Executive Committee
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Shoshana Kalfon, President
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Frank Carierre, VP Grievances
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Sigmund Lam, VP Negotiations
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Sheila Ettinger, VP Membership
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Douglas Chananda, VP Special Projects
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Hilary Asaba, VP Operations
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Mercedes La Rosa, VP Communications
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New to your job? Welcome!
Congratulations on your unionized position. You're now part of a crucial organization that stands together to make sure Concordia University professionals have the safest, most sustainable work environment possible.
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Concordia University President Graham Carr and CUPEU President Shoshana Kalfon along with the Negotiations Committee signing the Collective Agreement
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