Dear NASA Members,
Our new collective agreement was ratified by 92.5% with 77% of members casting a vote.
I want to personally thank you all for participating in the ratification vote and ensuring that NASA’s democratic foundations are strong and vibrant. You, the members, have spoken and regardless how you voted, your voice is respected and heard.
This concludes a very long and arduous round of collective bargaining. Although it has been challenging at times, you have all stayed strong in supporting your bargaining team throughout. Nothing displayed this support more than the strike mandate you provided last month. The strong mandate created movement at the negotiating table by telling NAIT you were serious about reaching a collective agreement that addressed your concerns and respected the professional work you do every single day on behalf of NAIT and students.
I recognize that this new collective agreement doesn’t reflect the end of all your ongoing concerns and issues. However, it represents a solid move forward and a stable foundation to build upon. In fact, much of the important of work starts now to ensure that the collective agreement is utilized to its full potential. Whether it be workload, job security, professional integrity, or respect from the employer there are tools in the new agreement that need to be used. Please stay tuned to future updates from NASA as to who how we plan to effectively use these tools to support NASA members and the crucial work you do.
Thank you again for your engagement, participation, and support throughout bargaining. You truly made a difference.
In solidarity,
Shauna MacDonald (she/her/hers)
President, NAIT Academic Staff Association