University of Prince Edward Island Faculty Association

     On Tuesday, October 22^nd, the Faculty Association and UPEI administration exchanged comprehensive opening proposals on non-economic issues. These packages include language on tenure/promotion, academic freedom, discipline, grievance, use of teaching evaluations, and many other important items. The FA package is the culmination of many months of hard work by your executive and other members of the negotiating caucus. We thank all those members who came to the meetings on September 17 and 26, and send their written and verbal comments to the executive.

Over the next few weeks, the two sides will be examining each other's proposals, and will return to the bargaining table sometime in November. The FA will keep the membership informed on the progress of negotiations through this web-site, our soon-to-be-launched Negotiations Bulletin, and general membership meetings. Stay tuned!

     The Faculty Association negotiating caucus is in the final touches on a comprehensive set of proposals on non-monetary items for the first contract. Comments received after the general membership meeting on September 17^th have been heard and taken into consideration. An exchange of language with the administration is set for Tuesday, October 22nd. We will receive a similar package from the administration, and will recommence negotiations once the administration's proposals have been thoroughly examined.

Renewed negotiations between your Faculty Association team and the UPEI Administration toward a first contract have been quite positive. Over the past couple of weeks, we have reached some important understandings on matters arising from earlier negotiations, and on the list of topics to be covered. This list, although not yet final, was examined by your executive, and was judged to be an acceptable framework for the development of contract proposals.

Over the next few weeks, the negotiating caucus will be working with CAUT to develop language on non-monetary items, which will be exchanged with the Administration toward the end of August. It is not too late to let your perspectives, ideas, questions or concerns be known! Contact Larry Hale, Jim Sentance, or any other member of the executive with your thoughts. Volunteers to help review and help re-draft language are most welcome!

Proposed FA language will be made available on this web-site once it has been submitted to the Administration in negotiations.

Monetary and other 'economic benefits' items will be put on the table in the latter stages of negotiations. The economic package will be discussed at a general meeting of the membership in September.

On June 27, 2002 the FA and the Administration agreed to release the following joint statement:

"The UPEI Faculty Association and UPEI Administration are pleased to announce that negotiations toward a first collective agreement between the parties have resumed."

The resumption of negotiations follows a period of working out significant issues of protocol and procedure. The four core members of your negotiating team are:

    - Dr. Jim Sentance: Chief Negotiator                     - Ms. Cathy Callaghan

      - Dr. Doug Dahn - Dept. of Physics                       - Dr. Tony Couture

In addition, a fifth position at the table will be filled on a rotating basis by individuals who can provide expert opinion on specific negotiating items.

The negotiating team is supported by a negotiating caucus, whose job it is to research for our bargaining positions, draft proposed contract language, and discuss bargaining strategies with the team. Anyone interested in participating on the negotiating caucus is encouraged to contact Lawrence Hale or the FA office.