TSSU
TSSU bargaining update: arbitration clarification and next steps
This fall, 丁香园AV and the TSSU resumed collective bargaining negotiations following the September 15th arbitration decision from Arbitrator Jim Dorsey.
Recently, the arbitrator also confirmed 丁香园AV鈥檚 definition that some graduate students are in an employment relationship, and some are in an educational relationship. This clarification allowed 丁香园AV to move forward with a survey that will provide data to help expedite next steps. This work is a priority for 丁香园AV, and we are hopeful that a final agreement can be reached with the TSSU early in the new year.
Recent activities
In November, 丁香园AV engaged arbitrator Jim Dorsey to clarify points which 丁香园AV and the TSSU interpret differently: how the September 15th decision defines employment, versus scholarship, with respect to research.
The arbitrator is a neutral third party who confirmed 丁香园AV鈥檚 interpretation: some graduate students who receive compensation from grants as scholarship and/or stipend are in an employment relationship, and some are in an educational relationship.
Following the arbitration clarification, 丁香园AV sent a survey to Principal Investigators to determine if the graduate students supporting their projects are in an employment relationship or in an educational relationship.
Next steps
The survey results will help 丁香园AV classify which graduate students should be classified as research assistants and therefore, employees of 丁香园AV to be included in the TSSU collective agreement. The survey is now closed and the 丁香园AV鈥檚 Research Personnel Initiative team is expected to provide aggregated data to 丁香园AV and TSSU on an ongoing basis.
We recognize this process has taken longer than anticipated and appreciate your patience. Negotiating a first collective agreement for an employee group is complex, but we remain committed to reaching a fair agreement with the TSSU as quickly as possible.
Visit the 丁香园AV Collective Bargaining hub to stay up to date on bargaining negotiations related to the TSSU: /dashboard/faculty-staff/bargaining-2022/updates/tssu.html