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Learning about labour negotiations

Academic staff from all over western Canada came to Athabasca Oct. 18-20 for the Western Regional Conference, hosted by Athabasca University Faculty Association.
20181019-AUFA Convention-BT-01
Attendees from across Western Canada listen to keynote speaker James Hutt from the Canadian Union of Postal Workers at the Athabasca University Faculty Association convention Oct. 19 at the AU governing council chamber.

Academic staff from all over western Canada came to Athabasca Oct. 18-20 for the Western Regional Conference, hosted by Athabasca University Faculty Association.


About 50 people attended the event, which is a rotating conference that individual faculty associations from Manitoba to British Columbia take turns hosting. The last time Athabasca hosted the conference was 1999.


AUFA president Jolene Armstrong said delegates listened to panel presentations on issues pertaining to labour, collegial governance, as well as the association’s core issues.


“Our keynote speakers both came from the Canadian Union of Postal Workers,” Armstrong said. “The first one, James Hutt, spoke via video conference Oct. 19, while the second one, Jeff Bickerton, talked to us on the 20th.”


She said the primary issues they talked about were social justice and climate change.


“Basically, they talked about how to put them at the forefront of the bargaining table,” Armstrong said. “They also discussed structure and strategy, including how to recruit supporters, train leaders, and build teams around them.”


Armstrong added that the convention also provides a networking opportunity for those who attended.


“Our attendees included some experienced speakers from our panel discussions,” she said. “Our focus throughout much of the convention was on picketing and solidarity. We also discussed the challenges and successes of our associations within the western provinces as well.”


She added there were also representatives from other unions, as well.


“Besides CUPW, the AUPE was also here,” Armstrong said. “We also had labour experts and other experienced professionals who represented other departments at their colleges, such as IT and librarians.”


AUFA vice-president Dave Powell said they were very happy to host the event in Athabasca.


“It’s an opportunity to show off our business culture and community,” Powell said. “All the food served for lunch and supper was all local, and the talks were excellent.”


On Oct. 29, the AUFA held the Confederation of Alberta Faculty Associations’ dinner at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex.


“This year’s theme was Ukrainian culture,” Powell continued. “We had the Ukrainian dancers put on a performance for the assembled guests, and we also served Ukrainian food there as well.”


All in all, Armstrong said it was an incredible event for AUFA to host.


“We were very excited to have people from far and wide in attendance,” she said. “All the talks that took place during the convention went really well.”


— With files from Allendria Brunjes

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