Collective Bargaining is the negotiation of an employment contract or collective agreement between a union of employees and an employer.

Negotiations require both parties to work towards a fair and reasonable agreement. While the AAU will submit proposals addressing a range of issues, we will make it clear to the College that Workload, Discrimination & Harassment and Mental Health are top priorities.

• Establish manageable workloads for Faculty and Professional Support Staff.

• Provide better protection of members through language changes in Article 7 Harassment and Discrimination

• Several proposals have been submitted under Article 26 Position reductions, lay-off and reinstatement.

• Considerations for vacation time, sick time and bereavement leave.

• Competitive compensation, that shows consideration for economic increases and allows for retention of excellent academic and professional support staff.

AAU has presented the College with a strike deadline. If negotiations are not going well, the Union will move to conciliation and if by the strike deadline an agreement is not within reach we may move forward to either arbitration or labour action.

How do I get updates on what’s happening? Monitor your alternate email for communications from your Union.

Check the website (atlanticau.ca) for updates.

Follow us on social media such as Twitter and Facebook.

We recommend that members stay attentive to changes, ask questions when something doesn’t feel right, stay informed and talk to your colleagues and your union! You can show your support and solidarity by following our social media channels and sharing our posts.

Conciliation is the process of adjusting or settling disputes in a friendly manner through extra judicial means. A conciliator meets with the parties both separately and together in an attempt to resolve their differences. Conciliation is used in labour disputes before arbitration. The NS government has established a Conciliation and Mediation Services organization to help labour-management groups with alternative dispute resolution services.

Conciliation differs from arbitration in that the conciliation process, in and of itself, has no legal standing, and the conciliator usually has no authority to seek evidence or call witnesses, usually writes no decision, and makes no award.