Athabasca University: Employer makes insulting wage offer

Your negotiating team met the employer on July 8 and 9 to continue bargaining. The employer shared their wage offer of 1.875% increases every year for 4 years. That amounts to 7.5% over 4 years – an absolutely insulting offer.

We know that other post-secondary employers have offered 11% over 4 years as a starting position. We’ve seen negotiations at other institutions finish with much higher raises.  

How little is Athabasca University offering? If you are currently at the top of Range 3 and make $32.65 an hour, your hourly wage would increase to just:

• $33.30/hour in 2024
• $33.97/hour in 2025
• $34.57/hour in 2026
• $35.18/hour in 2027

Less than $3/hour after 4 years. Like we said, this is insulting. Their offer is nowhere near keeping up with the skyrocketing cost of living and years of high inflation.  

We prepared a comprehensive counteroffer and presented it to the employer on July 9. We stayed focused on the raises we deserve and increased wellness benefits.  

We are also disappointed by our employer’s refusal to include the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a named holiday in our collective agreement. Your negotiating team has proposed that we add the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation alongside the other paid holidays that collectively tell a story about our history and values as Canadians.

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Bargaining continues on September 3 and 4. Please reach out to a member of your negotiating team with any questions or concerns.  

AUPE NEGOTIATING TEAM – ATHABASCA UNIVERSITY

Jessie Jones
jessie.jones_88@live.ca or 780-676-0192

Michael MacLean
mtmaclean@gmail.com or 780-695-3823

Davina Goettlicher
nourish.cafe@hotmail.com or 780-675-0483

Shannon Splinter
shannonxsplinter@gmail.com or 780-213-4313

Kevin Gray Alternate
kevingray010@gmail.com

AUPE RESOURCE STAFF

Scott Drake Negotiations
s.drake@aupe.org