LEOunion.org

Having put all the proposals on the table in the last three weeks, on February 12, 2010, LEO and administration teams transitioned from presentation to actual negotiation.  The day was spent talking about performance reviews and management's "need for flexibility" with Lecturer I (LI) appointments.   While not rejecting any of the union's proposals outright, management seemed to argue that the combination of the proposals -- longer appointments, earlier notice dates, and late lay-off penalties for Lecturer Is -- would negatively impact their ability to staff courses.

However, L1s constitute over half of the bargaining unit, and in LEO's view their need for employment predictabiltiy must be considered along with the employer's need for staffing flexibility. 

The two teams also set up times to discuss a number of topics in a small group setting.   These include Senior Lecturers, pay schedule technicalities, parental leave and international lecturers.  The hope is that  conversations in small groups will enable a problem-solving, interest-based approach, and thus faster progress.

As always LEO members are welcome to attend bargaining sessions in the (first floor) Education Conference Center at the School of Social Work, corner of East and South University -- by far the best venue ever for the negotiations.   The next session is Friday, February 19, 2010, from 9:30 to 5:00.

(Need to catch up on all the bargaining news? Go to Bargaining Updates.)