University, post-docs headed to mediation

The union representing some University of Saskatchewan researchers and instructors is calling the institution’s approach to bargaining “unfair,” and urging the provincial government to get involved.

That isn’t going to happen, according to documents obtained by the Saskatoon Starphoenix, but the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) still wants a better deal for about 200 post-doctoral fellows at the U of S. Now, the process is headed to mediation — a process the university expects will begin sometime this fall.

The post-docs — PHD graduates working full-time at the university — formed PSAC Local 40004 in late 2017 amid concern over wages and benefits. They are currently negotiating their first collective agreement with the U of S.

The U of S contends that compared to other Canadian universities, its post-docs “receive one of the highest minimum salaries,” and average salaries are comparable to the national average.

However, in a May 24 letter to Premier Scott Moe, PSAC regional vice-president Marianne Hladun said the “highly skilled and dedicated academics” are vital to the university’s success, and simply want better wages and benefits.

“Currently, the university is receiving valuable research from its post-doctoral fellows and yet condemns them to struggle on a

The university is receiving valuable research from its post-doctoral fellows and yet condemns them to struggle ... to pay their bills.

daily basis to pay their bills. This isn’t fair,” Hladun said in the letter obtained by the Starphoenix.

In a statement, U of S vice-president of people and resources Cheryl Carver said the university ’s most recent offer included a health and dental benefit plan. Hladun agreed, but said it is not the same plan other workers receive.

In an interview Wednesday, she acknowledged that “you don’t always get what you want” in a first collective agreement, but said union members are “significantly underpaid” compared to post-docs at other schools.

According to its website, the university pays post-docs a minimum stipend of $35,000 per year. Carver said in the statement that 95 per cent of U of S post-docs earn more than the minimum.

By comparison, post-docs at the University of Calgary earn $40,000 plus benefits, while University of Alberta post-docs are paid an annual stipend of $37,795. A spokesman for the University of Regina said in an email its post-docs earn an average of $42,500 per year.

An early proposal by the union local in February indicates its members want to be paid half the minimum salary of an assistant professor — currently $88,798 per year — by November 2018.

Hladun acknowledged that the university agreed to treat postdocs as employees rather than “trainees.” While she declined to get into specifics, she hinted any wage increase should offset payroll deductions that come with the shift.

It is not unheard of for union officials to quietly request assistance from the government, especially when public money is involved. A little less than half of the university’s $1-billion budget comes from Saskatchewan taxpayers.

Moe, however, opted not to get involved. In a return letter to Hladun, also obtained by the Starphoenix, he said it would not be appropriate given that the government wishes to see the collective bargaining process work effectively.

The Ministry of Advanced Education declined further comment.