Faculty at Trent University have reached a tentative settlement with their employer. Details of the agreement are still confidential pending a ratification vote. On June 5, 2014, Contract Academic Staff at St. Jerome’s ratified a new agreement alongside the Board of Governors. The new agreement runs until April 2018.
A primary goal of the St. Jerome’s negotiation was increased job security for Contract Academic Staff.
The new agreement will provide all members with automatic seniority status (i.e. the right of first refusal) in courses taught in regular rotation within the life of the agreement. A grandfather clause in the Memorandum of Settlement also grants immediate seniority status in courses taught by long-serving members. Meanwhile other members retain, in courses already taught, seniority points that will influence selection and appointment.
Other monetary gains include course cancellation compensation, class overage (fee per student registered over the course cap) and grading assistance, and a travel allowance to teach at St Jerome’s. An Academic Support Fund provides members with up to $1000 per year from a $15,000 fundfor conference fees and related expenses, and a Professional Expense Reimbursement Fund of $150 per course covers books, supplies and teaching related expenses.
Future bargaining goals will also include a more expansive definition of CAS members as full working academics, since the agreement nowhere makes mention of a provision for research and service.