Bargaining Newsletter #7 :
Concordia works because WE do. 

Your CREW bargaining representatives, elected TAs and RAs, have had two more sessions with Concordia to negotiate the protections we need for safe and dignified work.

Following our pressure, Concordia finally responded to our Health & Safety proposal and we are nearing a tentative agreement on this item. However, Concordia still resists our efforts to protect workers from retaliation when we refuse unsafe work, a legally protected right.

We demanded shorter delays in processing grievances and quicker routes to resolving other complaints. Concordia refuses to shorten the time to acknowledge a grievance – meaning by the time the average worker finishes a contract, Concordia won’t even have responded to their complaint, let alone have taken steps to resolve it.

We presented clear definitions of harassment, discrimination, and structural violence to help protect workers from psychological harm. Concordia responded with vague language eroding these protections and bringing the union in line with their new “behavioral guidelines.” These guidelines restrict political speech, action, and academic freedom. CREW members denounced this repressive policing of students’ and workers’ freedoms at our last General Assembly.

Let’s fight together for the collective agreement we deserve!