The meeting was called to order by the Chair, John C. Bear, President of MUNFA. The Chair noted that several documents were distributed to the MUNFA membership prior to the General Meeting (Information Bulletins 1996/97:04 and 1996/97:09). The report
s of the Employee Assistance Advisory Committee and the MUNFA Status of Academic Women Committee were distributed at the General Meeting.
- Approval of Agenda
(G96:009) MOVED (B. Schrank/C. Dennis) that the agenda be approved as circulated to the MUNFA membership.
Motion Carried
- Approval of Minutes of General Meeting of April 16, 1996
(G96:010) MOVED (C. Dennis/A. Redlack) that the minutes of the General Meeting of April 16, 1996 be approved.
Motion Carried
- Matters Arising from Minutes of General Meeting of April 16, 1996
- Cooperative Education Coordinators (CECs): The MUNFA President reported that he spoke
with the liaison person representing the CECs, who indicated that they are continuing to
appraise the matter of their certification in the MUNFA bargaining unit.
- T4s/T4As: The MUNFA President reported that the University Administration had decided
to report income from extra teaching on T4s. The MUNFA Executive was recently apprised
of a policy on a 'General Research Pool' (ref. MUN's Policies and Procedures R-4). This pool
may be used to accumulate payments for extra teaching. A copy of the policy can be obtained
from the MUNFA office.
- A-89-03 (Y-value): The MUNFA President reported that a Supreme Court hearing date has
been set for November 7, 1996, on the question of whether MUNFA's appeal of the Appeal
Court's decision to overturn the Y-value arbitration decision (A-89-03) is moot.
- MUNFA staff: The MUNFA President reported that a one-year review of the MUNFA
Secretary, Ms. K. O'Reilly, was completed; the review was entirely satisfactory. The other
MUNFA staff are Ms. M. Atkinson, Executive Officer and Ms. J. Diamond-Strong,
Administrative Secretary.
- Treasurer's Report/Voluntary Early Retirement Incentive Programme (VERIP): The
Treasurer and the MUNFA Executive reviewed MUNFA's finances in light of the early
retirement program taken by some MUNFA members. MUNFA's income and expenditures
remain in balance.
- Information Sessions with Chairs of P&T Committees and Administrators: The MUNFA
President reported that the University Administration and MUNFA will hold information
sessions for Chairs of P&T Committees and Administrators; these are scheduled for
November 7 at 2:30 p.m. in EN4002 and November 8 at 2:30 p.m. in A2029.
- Academic Freedom & Grievance Committee - Terms of Reference for Approval
The MUNFA President reported that the proposed amendments to the Terms of Reference of the Academic Freedom and Grievance Committee were distributed with Information Bulletin 1996/97:04.
These Terms of Reference originated in 1980 and have been amended at General Meetings of April
7, 1983, October 29, 1986, April 21, 1992 and October 22, 1996.
(G96:011) MOVED (P.F. Rice/B. Schrank) that the Terms of Reference of the Academic Freedom and Grievance Committee be accepted as amended.
(G96:012) MOVED (G. Paterno/C. Dennis) that Item E(xii) be revised so that "three teaching remissions" be changed to "three course".
A vote on Amendment G96:012 was taken.
Amendment Carried
A vote on Main Motion G96:011 was taken.
Motion Carried
- President's Report
Dr. Bear reported that the affairs of the university and the association have proceeded relatively
smoothly since the last MUNFA General Meeting. In particular, financial exigency has not occurred.
Thirty-nine (39) MUNFA members took the early retirement offer made in the spring. Of these 39,
twelve (12) were already proceeding to retirement under the conditions offered since 1993.
The MUNFA Executive has been operating as usual, spending considerable time on the
Administration's deviations from the Collective Agreement, particularly as regards administrative and
other appointments. The report of the Academic Freedom and Grievance Committee amplifies on
these issues.
The three National Research Councils have released a Draft National Code on Research Ethics.
Interested members can refer to the September issue of the 'CAUT Bulletin' where it is extensively
discussed.
MUNFA has continued its support of initiatives coordinated by the Canadian Federation of Students
to protest federal government cuts to post-secondary education funding.
A MUNFA webpage has been completed by Ms. K. O'Reilly (MUNFA Secretary) with assistance
from, in particular, Ms. A. Lonardo (Q.E. II Library).
- Treasurer's Report
The membership received a copy of the financial statement for the fiscal year 1995-96. Dr. A. Redlack
(MUNFA Treasurer) reported that MUNFA finances are in good order. The year-end audit has just
been completed and indicates no deficiencies. As noted above (3e), the impact of early retirements
on MUNFA finances has been assessed; at this time it appears income and expenditure can remain
in balance over the next five years.
- CAUT Defence Fund
W. E. Schrank (Economics) and J. Evans (Psychology) are MUNFA's Defence fund trustees. Schrank
reported that a recent meeting of the CAUT Defence Fund was held in Montreal where a vote was taken to support a potential strike at Trent.
The expiration of the NDP Social Contract has opened negotiations at several Ontario universities.
Wilfred Laurier has been experiencing difficulties with its administration similar to those experienced by MUNFA.
The CAUT Defence Fund spent slightly under $700,000 supporting the strike in Manitoba. Nevertheless, the CAUT Defence Fund presently stands at $9.7 million and continues to grow.
- Collective Agreement Administration
- Report from AF&G Committee: A report from the AF&G Committee was circulated prior
to the General Meeting. The AF&G Chair was not in attendance but other AF&G Committee
members were present to respond to any questions.
Dr. J. Duffy (Psychology, SWGC) asked whether the St. John's AF&G Committee could
elaborate on workload equivalency reports. Bernice Schrank reported that the special
committees required by Clause 3.12 have met, but equivalency determinations arising out of
the Committees' reports are not yet known. Dr. Schrank noted that the effect of the new
workload clause is that everyone's teaching load rises to the norm (as per Appendix E), with
decreases provided under Clause 3.20. Instead, reductions for administrative duties are being
granted. Workload looks very much as it has always looked. The AF&G Committee presently
has approximately seven grievances tied in to Clause 3.20.
There was considerable discussion of this issue, which is at present not resolved.
- Joint Association/University Relations Committee: Bear reported that the MUNFA
representatives to the JAUREC have met with the administration four times since the April
General Meeting. This Committee's purpose is to foster communications between the
administration and the association. Bear provided examples of topics discussed:
- enquiries of the administration to obtain documentation that the Collective Agreement
requires them to give us, i.e. MUNFA has not received complete documentation of
all early retirements;
- MUNFA now, as a result of an arbitration, receives regular information regarding
travel funds provided to faculty (Clause 26.02 of the Collective Agreement);
- lists of term appointments (invariably received late).
MUNFA is also using the forum of JAUREC to ask for budget estimates--these were made
available to us during negotiations, but we are told that new budget estimates are not
finalized. Recently some progress was made in JAUREC at clarifying the status of Memorial
in the Tri-Council's framework policy on integrity and scholarship.
MUNFA spent some time clarifying that status of information about ASMs on the university's
Banner system. In some instance the names of ASMs can be extracted on Banner. We were
advised that ASM personal files are maintained quite separate from Banner.
After repeatedly raising the matter at JAUREC, MUNFA has extracted from the
administration an agreement that when they make representations to the providers of LTD,
the information will be copied to that ASMs personal file. This will provide the ASM with all
information that the administration is providing to the carrier. Members were advised that if
they have been on LTD, or know a colleague who has, they should review their personal file
to ensure that this information is accurate.
- Report of Joint Sexual Harassment Advisory Board: A written report of the MUNFA
representatives to the Sexual Harassment Advisory Board was circulated.
- MUNFA Committee Reports
- Status of Academic Women Committee: A report from the Status of Academic Women
Committee was distributed at the General Meeting. Dr. A. Chandna (Chair) highlighted three
items:
- the CAUT Status of Academic Women conference was held in Halifax this year and
two members from Memorial attended the conference which was funded by the
MUNFA Executive.
- Dr. Chandna then discussed the proposed amalgamation of the Sexual Harassment
Advisor and the Employment Equity Officer positions. Dr. Chandna expressed the
concern of the Status of Academic Women that they were not consulted and that
MUNFA was not taking an active role in this matter.
- Dr. Chandna referred to a recent hearing held in accordance with Appendix C of the
MUN/MUNFA Collective Agreement 'University-Wide Procedures on Sexual
Harassment Complaints.' Dr. Chandna asked for clarification of MUNFA's role in the
hearing.
Dr. Bear replied first to the amalgamation of the Sexual Harassment Advisor/Employment
Equity Officer positions. This amalgamation was considered carefully by the MUNFA
Executive and MUNFA's representatives to the Sexual Harassment Board, and a member of
the Status of Academic Women Committee was also a member of the Executive during these
discussions. MUNFA and the administration have agreed to a timed-limited merger of the two
positions to be reviewed after an appropriate interval to determine whether the arrangement
is satisfactory.
Dr. Bear explained briefly that in the hearing held in accordance with Appendix C, the subject
of the complaint was accompanied by three advisors, as provided in university-wide policy.
One was a member of the MUNFA Executive but was not participating in that capacity.
- Pension Committee: Dr. R. Clark (Chair, MUNFA Pensions Committee) and one of the
MUNFA representatives to the University Pensions Committee amplified the written Report
circulated to MUNFA members.
Dr. Clark reported that the administration is withholding $6.9 million from the fund, and, as
well, 50% of the salaries and benefits of the Human Resources personnel who handle pensions
and benefits are now being paid from the fund. In May the Board of Regents approved in
principle a new Supplemental Retirement Income Plan. MUNFA has not received a copy of
the financial consultant's Report on the implications of this Supplemental Plan, nor was the
University Pensions Committee consulted. MUNFA has received a copy of the agreement
participants in the Supplemental Plan will sign. MUNFA will pursue this matter with the
University Administration.
(G96:013) MOVED (H. Gaskill/R. Moore-Orr) that the MUNFA Executive be asked to strike
a committee to immediately look into issues relating to pensions and how MUNFA
might get increased control of pensions during the next several years.
Bear noted that the MUNFA Pension Committee is currently doing this, and R. Clark
reported that the MUNFA Pension Committee expected to report to the Executive shortly.
Atkinson reminded the meeting that a Committee had explored options with Coopers/Lybrand
two years ago, and that there was input for proposals during the last round of negotiations.
In the event the issue was not opened for negotiation. The information is on file for future
reference.
It was agreed to amend the motion to:
(G96:013) MOVED (R. Clark/H. Gaskill) that on receipt of a report from the MUNFA Pension
Committee on means of increasing members' control of the pension plan, the
Executive will strike a committee to consider the report and be prepared for the 1999
round of negotiations to bring pension plan governance into the MUN/MUNFA
Collective Agreement.
Motion Carried
It was further agreed that MUNFA would seek a legal opinion on the Supplemental
Retirement Income Plan.
- Scholarship Committee: A report of the MUNFA Scholarship Committee was distributed to
the MUNFA membership prior to the General Meeting. The President noted that MUNFA
has received many gratifying letters of thanks from the scholarship recipients.
- Employee Assistance Program Advisory Committee: A report was distributed at the meeting.
The University has switched from an internal program to a commercial provider. This will
slightly change the process of using the EAP. A revised Terms of Reference for the EAP has
been drafted.
- Economic Benefits Committee: Dr. J. Snook (Chair, MUNFA Economic Benefits Committee
reported that MUNPA (MUN Pensioners Association) has contacted the Committee to advise
that the administration had promised them full benefit coverage to pre-1993 retirees but were
now phasing in cost sharing. Many pensioners cannot afford the expense.
(G96:014) MOVED (J. Snook/H. Gaskill) that MUNFA support the pensioners in their
opposition to increases in benefits costs.
(G96:015) MOVED (B. Schrank/A. Rahman) that Main Motion G96:014 be amended so that
"support the pensioners" be replaced by "submit documentation regarding this matter
to the MUNFA lawyer and CAUT lawyers for advice. On the basis of that advice, the
Executive, in consultation with the MUNFA Economic Benefits Committee, will
determine the level and nature of support to make available to the pensioners..."
(G96:016) MOVED (W. Schrank/H. Gaskill) that Amendment G96:015 be amplified by adding
"Financial support in the first instance will not exceed $5,000, which is subject to the
approval of the general MUNFA membership."
A vote was taken on G96:016.
Amendment to Amendment Carried
A vote was taken on G96:015.
Amendment Carried
A vote was taken on Main Motion.
Main Motion Carried
- Adjournment
(E96:017) MOVED (G. Paterno/N. Golfman) that the meeting adjourn.
Motion Carried