RAAS Report
Friday, February 23, 2024
SIXTH ANNIVERSARY EDITION!
Ann Dennis, Editor
PRESIDENT’S UPDATE
Given that this is the February edition RAAS Report, I thought I should learn something about the relationship of Black Canadians to unions and union activism. I believe that a working class that is fragmented across racial lines undermines collective action to transform the economic paradigm under which we live, and I know that unions are often as bad as any other institution in replicating anti-Black and white supremacist social relations rather than challenging them. Yet, the labour of Black people – whether freely given or forcibly extracted through slavery or impoverishment and exploitation – has been instrumental in building our economy and our country, even as Black communities are denied a fair share of the benefits.
What I am learning about now is how, in spite of generations of exclusion in the workplace and the union hall, the organizing, activism, and other democratic contributions of Black leaders have made – and continue to make – an over-sized impact on workers’ rights and on the labour movement in this country.
Black Canadian porters, for instance, formed the first Black railway union in North America (1917), and won the right of Black workers to a competitive wage, compensation for overtime, and direct representation in disciplinary hearings. They were later joined by American porters (1939) to form the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP). In Canada, the BSCP became a major organizing force behind some important Canadian civil rights organization, including the Canadian League for the Advancement of Colored People and the Negro Citizenship Association. (Read: The Black Train Porters Who Led the Fight Against Canada’s Racist Immigration System, by Cecil Foster for The Walrus, February 25, 2019)
Of course, this was not the first example of Black labour activism in Canada by a long shot, and nor was it the last. Check out the Public Service Alliance of Canada’s Moments in Canadian History of Black Labour (and the related 2022 additions) to learn more about some of the Black leaders who have advanced the rights of all workers in Canada and paved the way for greater inclusivity in general.
In terms of a current example, some of you may know that in December 2020, a group of federal public service workers launched a class action lawsuit against the federal government. The action, the Black Class Action website reads, is directed at “self-identifying Black individuals” who were denied employment with the Public Service of Canada or denied promotions based on their race any time in the past 52 years.
While the action seeks damages for individuals, writer and activist Gabriela Calugay-Casuga points out that the Black Class Action lawsuit is also as an important legal step towards a larger conversation about reparations, and serves an important advocacy function by shedding light on “the barriers Black workers face in the workplace” and compelling all major Canadian institutions “to be accountable for their actions,” starting with our federal public service. Visit the Black Class Action website to learn how you can support the cause.
In terms of news from the President’s desk this month, I spent the weekend of February 10-11 at OCUFA’s 173 Board Meeting, where we dealt with some business and heard several reports (including a critical overview of the growing role of private consultants in public universities). A central theme of the weekend, however, was the topic of university finance in Ontario and what can be done about it.
As previously reported, Ontario remains the province with by far the lowest per-student funding for universities, falling 43% below the national average. The Ford government’s freeze on tuition fee increase, following its 10% tuition cut in 2019, gave Ontario students an insignificant break while significantly defunding universities, especially when you consider inflation since 2019. Between the tuition freeze and the stagnation of operating grants to universities since 2018, revenue losses to universities in Ontario topped $1.1 billion in 2022 alone (see “Back from the Brink”). Our student-to-faculty ratio is the highest in Canada. Ontario is the only province in the country with a cap on the number domestical students a university can claim a government grant for. And the Provincial government’s planned implementation of performance-based funding is not going to help. Something has got to give. Even the Province’s own “Blue Ribbon Panel” on post-secondary financing has recognized the problem.
In response, OCUFA is focusing its advocacy efforts from now at least through the next provincial election on pushing for better funding arrangements and more funding. Even if the 10% increase in university funding recommended the Blue Ribbon Panel is implemented, Ontario universities will remain the lowest per-student funded post-secondary institutions in the entire country (read more here). Just to get to the national average in per-student funding, Ontario will need to invest an additional 11.75% per year for the next five years. That’s just to get to the national average.
OCUFA presented its analysis and recommendations to the provincial government during Pre-Budget Consultations at the end of January. In its pre-budget submission, OCUFA outlined the problem and offered four solutions:
OCUFA calls for compounding annual total provincial university funding increases of 11.75 per cent for a period of five years to reach the national average.
Instead of increasing domestic tuition, OCUFA echoes the call of student groups for government to enhance the student assistance budget and convert loans into grants.
OCUFA calls for a review of Ontario’s provincial funding formula, including the corridor model, with an embedded goal of supporting domestic enrolment growth.
OCUFA calls for reversing the planned implementation of the performance-based funding scheme.
OCUFA’s analysis and recommendations will be the focus of its upcoming Advocacy Days (March 19-20). We all need to get behind this. Please let me know if you know more about how you can get involved.
For more information and some excellent analysis regarding university funding in Ontario, see:
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives report: Back from the brink: Restoring public funding to Ontario’s universities.
Rob Case
RAAS President
EQUITY AND INCLUSION COMMITTEE UPDATE
The Equity Committee members are Arshi Shaikh-Grande , Brenda Polar, Edwin Ng, and me. Last year, the Committee developed an equity statement for RAAS. This year, we will continue our equity work by beginning to prepare and plan for the next CA negotiation. We will be guided by questions such as: What does an equity-guided CA look like? What are the equity-guided principles for a CA re-negotiation? What does an indigenized CA look like?
In exploring these questions, we plan to engage in learning opportunities. We will spend some time determining who our teachers will be, upon whose shoulders our work will stand. There are other academic sector unions who have engaged in these efforts, and we will look to them for guidance. There are important community-based approaches in various rights movements that we can draw upon, as well. We are excited to begin this journey of learning, and will be sure to share as much with the entire membership as we can.
Sincerely,
Trish Van Katwyk
RAAS Representative
BOARD UPDATE
The Board of Governors met on Wednesday, January 31st, 2024. The meeting was held virtually, and highlights include:
Student Council Presentations. Student Council Representatives presented their leadership activities and initiatives, showcasing the vibrant student life and leadership development opportunities available at the college. These presentations highlighted the students' engagement in academic and extracurricular activities, emphasizing the importance of student involvement in the Renison community.
Financial Update #1. Ryan Lynch, a portfolio manager from RBC Dominion Securities, provided a detailed update on Renison's investment portfolio. The update included a review of financial performance, strategic investment decisions, and a commitment to integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria into investment choices. For 2023, the portfolio achieved a 7.19% investment return, translating into a total return of $250,488. This was accomplished through a balanced mandate, with an equity allocation of 59% and cash and fixed income making up 40%.
Financial Update #2: Jill Pauls provided a financial update focused on the cash flow and budget forecast for Renison. Regarding cash flow, the December starting balance was $7.1 million, with cash inflows being lower due to it being the end of the term. For December, the expenses amounted to $2.1 million, primarily consisting of payroll expenses at $1.4 million, resulting in an ending cash balance of $5.8 million. Regarding budget forecasting, Jill highlighted significant expected incomes in January and March from resident income and a substantial grant, respectively. Jill also outlined the financial impact of Bill 124, including a one-time payment and retroactive adjustments, which affect the cash flow and budget planning. The total impact is roughly estimated at $423,000, adding to the forecasted deficit.
The President's Report to the Board of Governors. This report highlighted multiple challenges confronting Renison and the Canadian higher education sector:
International Student Tuition and Visa Changes: Rising tuition and a 35% cut in undergraduate international student visas over two years may affect Renison's English programs, though short-term programs are not impacted.
Fiscal Sustainability: The Ontario Blue Ribbon Panel Report criticized tuition rollbacks and freezes since 2019 and low grants for domestic students, noting the lack of government action on these issues.
Post Laurentian Bankruptcy: Laurentian University's bankruptcy has heightened financial oversight, exposing vulnerabilities. Nearly half of Ontario's universities, including UW and Renison, face budget deficits.
Arts and Humanities Recruitment: Recruiting for Arts and Humanities is challenging, requiring Renison to proactively work and vision their future in relation to STEM programs. It was noted that this work is for all Arts-related programs.
Executive Compensation Legislation: A freeze on senior administrative pay due to legislation, without inclusion in Bill 124 salary adjustments, complicates the hiring and retention of top administrators.
Our next board meeting will be focused on our Strategic Plan and will take place virtually on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at 6:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Edwin Ng and Jeff Wilson
Faculty Board Representatives
SERVICE TO RAAS
Nominations are now open for President and Vice-President of RAAS. The position of Secretary-Treasurer is currently held by Amir, who has completed one year of an initial two-year term.
The President and Vice President terms begin July 1 for two years. Our current President (Rob) and Vice President (Trish) will each have completed one two-year term by the end of June 2024. Both are both eligible for nomination and re-election for an additional two-year term, but both positions are open to whoever the RAAS Membership wishes to nominate and elect.
An electronic vote will be held prior to our AGM in April. Please send nominations for these positions to our Past President, Kristina Llewellyn (kristina.llewellyn@uwaterloo.ca), using the attached nomination form.
SATIRE
Waiter obligingly pours sample of restaurant’s cheapest wine
February 5, 2024, Shane Murphy, The Beaverton
Waiter Mark Graham shocked staff and patrons at local fusion seafood hotspot Gastropod over the weekend when he obligingly poured out a sample of the restaurant’s cheapest wine.
NOT SATIRE
International students are in ‘crisis’. Governments need to take responsibility: Peel charities
February 12, 2024, Saloni Bhugra, CBC News
‘Chronic underfunding’ of post-secondary education led to crisis, advocates say.
CAUT NEWS
CAUT is offering a number of on-line training opportunities this term for member associations like RAAS:
Labour Action for Equity Course, March 15, 2024
Collective Bargaining Training, April 2 – 5, 2024
If you are interested in attending any of these training sessions, please let Rob know.
The CAUT Dedicated Service Award was established to recognize individuals for exceptional service to their faculty associations. Recipients can be nominated by a local, provincial, or federated association and the award is presented at a membership meeting.
Recipients of the award will:
a) Receive a certificate of recognition from CAUT, which will be provided to the association for presentation to the recipient; and
b) Have their name listed in the CAUT Bulletin, put on the CAUT website and announced at the next CAUT Council meeting.
Nominations can be made at any time using this form. There is no deadline. Awards can be prepared throughout the year.
If you have any questions or concerns about the nomination process, please email CAUTawards-prixACPPU@caut.ca.
You can find a copy of the latest CAUT Bulletin here.
OCUFA NEWS
RAAS is a member of the Ontario Confederation of University CAUT Associations (OCUFA), a province-wide association of our peers.
Some GTA college students being paired with seniors with extra space amid housing crisis
February 13, 2024, Joanna Lavoie, CTV News
Some Canadian post-secondary institutions are looking to pair up students with seniors who have extra living space in response to rising rent prices.
Finance minister says province isn’t considering tuition hikes
February 13, 2024, Barbara Patrocinio, QP Briefing
The finance minister pledged to work with colleges and universities to address pressing funding needs but said no tuition increase was coming.
Ontario university professors call Appeal Court ruling on Bill 124 a win for public sector workers
February 12, 2024, OCUFA
The Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations said the Ontario Court of Appeal’s decision to dismiss the province’s appeal of the controversial and unconstitutional Protecting a Sustainable Public Sector for Future Generations Act—formerly Bill 124—is a win for workers.
OCUFA Advocacy Days (March 19-20)
OCUFA’s Advocacy Day this year is a vital opportunity for us to get involved in the push for better funding for universities in Ontario. There will be an orientation and training session on the evening of March 19, and meetings with MPPs from our area at Queen’s Park on the 20th followed by a reception. Your transportation and accommodations will be covered.
Please consider joining Rob at Queen’s Park for those two days. Success can only be achieved through broad, collective action. Let Rob know if you are interested.
Mark Your Calendars!!
| Item | Key Date |
|---|---|
| Renison Research Grant Applications due | March 1, 2024 |
| Labour Action for Equity Course (CAUT) | March 15, 2024 |
| OCUFA Advocacy Days) | March 19, 2024 & March 20, 2024 |
| RAAS AGM | April, 2024 (TBD) |
| Collective Bargaining Training (CAUT) | April 2, 2024, to April 5, 2024 |
| CAUT Dedicated Service Award Nominations | Nominations are ongoing throughout the year using this form. |
CA HIGHLIGHTS
Renison Research Grants
The next chance to apply for a Renison Research Grant is March 1, 2024. Funds are limited and priority is given to pre-tenure applicants, but there is often money that does not get allocated due to a lack of applications. If you have a small project or a specific research activity for which you do not have funding, you are strongly encouraged to apply.
The timing of applications and the criteria for Renison Research Grants remain unchanged from our previous Collective Agreement (applications due October 1 and March 1 each year), and the grants will still normally not exceed $2,000. The 2023-2026 CA nonetheless includes three improvements:
$2,000 has been added to the annual commitment, bringing the total available each year up to $12,000 ($6,000 for disbursement in Fall, $6,000 in Spring).
If the full $6,000 is not disbursed in the Fall term, the balance will be added to the Spring allocation.
This procedure was not included in the 2020-23 CA, but was put into practice through an MoU and is now described in the CA.
Consistent with past practice, funds not disbursed by the research committee in the Spring term do not carry over to the subsequent year.
Continuing Lecturers are now eligible to apply for Renison Research Grants
Unless changed by Academic Council, however, applications from pre-tenure Members shall be given priority.
Happy Birthday to RAAS!
February 12th marked six years of unwavering dedication, advocacy, and unity in supporting our faculty members. Your commitment to building a fair and empowering environment for RAAS members is commendable and has made a significant difference in our professional lives at Renison. Over the past six years, RAAS members have taken on leadership roles on various committees and the RAAS Executive, bringing in new perspectives and energy to our union. These collaborations have helped negotiate not one, but TWO Collective Agreements that have enhanced compensation, teaching supports, workload, sabbaticals, tenure and promotion and DTL appointments for RAAS members, just to name a few. Throughout our journey as a union, we have strengthened our alliance with our colleagues at FAUW, OCUFA and CAUT and within our own RAAS community. This sense of solidarity not only strengthens us but demonstrates the spirit and commitment of our union.
Here’s to many more years of success and collaboration ahead!
ONE FINAL THOUGHT
