The Association of Academic Staff University of Alberta (AASUA) marked a year of collective bargaining by holding a rally on Wednesday, where members called for improvements on fronts such as compensation. The union is reportedly seeking raises and for the number of short-term contracts offered to academic staff to be reduced. AASUA also wants the University of Alberta to devote more of its operating budget for front-line teaching. “The spark of learning burns bright at the U of A,” read a statement from AASUA President Gordon Swaters. “A failure to fund frontline teaching and research put it at risk. We’re rallying with one message for university administration and the government: support the spark.” CTV News reports that the group will enter informal mediation later this month.
