The Vanier College Teachers’ Association
End of Our Collective Agreement
On Friday, March 31st 2023 our current collective agreement came to an end. Despite attempts to come together as a “Front Commun” at the negotiation table, the government’s offers have been paltry and unacceptable. We must continue to put pressure on the government by joining other public sector unions as we perform action days. Stand with us and let the government know that together we are strong, and we will not accept inadequate offers by wearing your Profs en Négo t-shirt every Wednesday.
Profs en Négo T-shirt, Pins, and Reusable Bags
If you haven’t picked up a Profs en Négo t-shirt, button, or reusuable bag yet, we still have a few available in C-101 up for grabs.
Update on Negotiations
News from Regroupement Cegep :
For several months, discussions have been taking place on the relevance of moving towards more online meetings, instead of the in-person ones, which were the norm in FNEEQ’s meeting procedures until now. The main arguments against in-person gatherings were their rising costs, their ecological footprint, as well as the serious family-life balance impacts on delegates who must sometime travel great distances before and after attending the meetings. Arguments were also brought forward in defense of the in-person meetings – even by colleagues from the regions who felt that they helped reduce their sense of isolation, as they clearly allow for richer interactions, corridor discussions, a better sense of belonging, especially for the newest delegates.
In the end, the decision of having at least one regroupement per semester online, plus others under specific conditions (extraordinary ones, and those when a meeting is scheduled too soon after another venue, for example) was agreed on.
News on Negos:
- Central table:
A new offer was submitted on March 27 by the Conseil du Trésor, with few improvements but nothing specifically for cegep teachers. The offer and the last Info-Négo are attached.
Last Thursday, 30 March, around 2000 delegates from all Front Commun unions, CSN, CSQ, FTQ, APTS, gathered in Québec City to launch the negociation mobilisation on the eve of the expiration of public sector’s collective agreements. Presentations were given on the history of the front commun, on the recent successful mobilisation of teachers in Ontario, and on local communications and outreach techniques.
- Sectoral table:
At the last ASPPC meeting (Alliance of FNEEQ and FEC cegep teachers), we were able to finalize the guiding principles behind our demands on distance education and salary scale. Attached are the recommendations that were agreed on (in French). Notably, while the avenue of (asynchronous) distance education seemed to be a major part of the CPNC demands, our position is to circumscribe and limit its development, by including conditions and establishing control mechanisms in the collective agreement. The latest table reports are also attached, volumes 5 to 7. The two parties are almost done presenting and explaining their demands, but the bargaining stage has not really started yet.
VCTA Website and Facebook Page
Stay up-to-date on négos, other VCTA announcements, photos, and events with the VCTA’s website www.thevcta.qc.ca and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/thevcta
Important Deadlines in April
- Request for Leaves – April 15
The deadline to request a leave for the fall semester and/or for the entire year is April 15. The forms can be found in OMNIVOX, under Vanier Communities, Human Resources Services, Forms. - General Offer of Service (GOS) – April 30
The General Offer of Service (GOS) is a document signifying to the College a teacher’s desire to exercise their priority on any available workload in their discipline for the coming year. (5-1.11)
All non-tenured teachers must complete and submit their General Offer of Service (GOS) electronic form to: TeacherGOS@vaniercollege.qc.ca by April 30, 2023.
Take Back the Month
April is “take back the month” and professionals and students from multiple areas of the College have organized a series of activities to raise awareness about sexual assault. The full list of events can be found here: https://bit.ly/3lQOeMw, and you can also learn about the other services offered by the Respect Works Office in the attached document.
Cups
We need your help. All our coffee cups have disappeared. If you should see any, please return them to the union lounge C-101. Enjoy the coffee and return the cup!
How Things Work
On occasion we will be adding a “How Some Things Work” column as an attachment to the News Bulletin. In this issue, we are focusing on the VCTA Elections
The Elections are coming! April 26- 27, 2023, 9am-6pm (Chapter 8 of the VCTA Bylaws)
In early April, you will be invited to participate in elected bodies. The union is YOU and it can only function with your participation. Vote. Discuss. Ask questions. Participate
- NOMINATION PERIOD: April 11-18, 2023
- WITHDRAWAL PERIOD: April 19, 2023
- CAMPAIGN PERIOD: April 20-25, 2023
- ELECTIONS: April 26- 2023 – 9am –6pm
Nominations can be done electronically via an email to the VCTA at vcta@vaniercollege.qc.ca.
Voting for the VCTA Elections will be done in person only, in front of the print shop and in front of the elevators in the “N” building.
Only members of the VCTA can be candidates, can support a candidate, and can vote in the election. If you are not a member and would like to join, please drop by the union office in C101.
VCTA Executive: This consists of 4 teachers who get release for the day-to-day running of union business. There are 2 major fields of action. 1. the protection of individual teacher’s rights according to the Collective Agreement and 2. a political stance established with 45 other Colleges in FNEEQ & the CSN.
Association Council: (12 teachers + exec) the council is responsible for VCTA policies between General Assemblies and acts as a sounding board for faculty opinion and as a guide to the Executive.
Academic Council: (10 teachers, with majority) the major college advisory body on all academic matters. It has representation from faculty, non-teaching professionals, support personnel, students, and college administrators.
CRT: is responsible for applying the Collective Agreement locally. It consists of representatives from the college administration and faculty.
We are hoping for a strong and active faculty representation in these positions and would therefore ask you to give serious consideration to serving.
Upcoming Meetings
General Assembly – April 12, 12:00-1:30, room TBA
CRT: April 20, 2:00 – 4:00, room TBA
CRT: April 27, 2:00 – 4:00, room TBA