University response to negotiations with AASUA

After 18 months of negotiations, the University of Alberta and the Association of Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA) have yet to reach a renewal agreement.

On September 18, during only the third day of five scheduled days of formal mediation, AASUA declared an impasse after a cursory review of the university’s most recent proposal. By doing so, the union prematurely ended the mediation process, effectively cancelling the two scheduled October mediation dates and halting constructive dialogue. In addition, the union requested that the mediator not provide any recommendations. These decisions are unnecessary and deeply disappointing, particularly given the university’s clear efforts to respond to the union’s shifting priorities.

The university has consistently negotiated in good faith. Most recently, when the union moved its focus from targeted salary increases for Academic Faculty to benefits funding, the university adjusted its proposal accordingly. Instead of engaging, AASUA chose not to provide a counterproposal and walked away from the bargaining table.

AASUA says the university is eroding salaries and refusing to commit to funding the health and dental benefits plan. This is simply untrue.

The university has proposed across-the-board increases for all AASUA members that are consistent with other post-secondary faculty agreement settlements in the province, including the recently ratified renewal collective agreement for faculty at the University of Calgary. This would result in increases for all AASUA members of 12.55% over the term of the agreement, including 3% retroactive to July 1, 2024 and another 3% retroactive to July 1, 2025.

The current benefits funding formula was negotiated between the university and AASUA in previous rounds of collective bargaining. AASUA’s description of a mutually agreed-upon funding structure is not accurate and is misleading. There is a shared responsibility between the AASUA and the university, as described in the collective agreement, to ensure the financial sustainability of the benefits plans. For AASUA to state that the university wants to “radically roll back our benefits entitlements” is simply wrong.

The university remains committed to reaching a renewed collective agreement and continues to believe this is possible. However, progress requires both parties to remain at the table.

The union’s decision to abandon negotiations not only undermines that possibility, it risks a labour disruption that would seriously and unnecessarily harm faculty, staff, students, and the broader university community.

We urge AASUA to return to the bargaining table and respond to our latest offer in good faith. The university is ready to continue negotiations and will not be deterred from working toward a fair and sustainable agreement.

Verna Yiu
Provost and Vice-President (Academic)

Todd Gilchrist
Vice-President (University Services, Operations and Finance)