UBC News Digest

The UBC News Digest is a weekly summary of news stories about UBC people, research, learning, community, and internationalization initiatives. News Digest past issues are also available on-line.

Feb. 27, 2003

• Labour and bargaining update
• Medicine professor awarded for Distinguished Contribution to Medical Education
• Conference on Preventing Crimes Against Humanity comes to UBC

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Labour and bargaining update

UBC is currently in negotiation with three of its unions. The following is the status of those negotiations as of 4:00 p.m. on Feb. 27.

CUPE 2278 (Teaching Assistants)

Members of CUPE 2278 left the Labour Relations Board late Wednesday morning without responding to the University's latest wage offer of 10% over three years. The proposed yearly break down is 3%, 4% and 3%, and would result in a top hourly wage of $26.49. The Teaching Assistants have been picketing different buildings around campus for the past week. They are bargaining to obtain tuition waivers for as part of their compensation package.

CUPE 2950

The University bargaining team presented CUPE 2950 with language concerning contracting out yesterday. While the University does not believe that contracting out is a significant issue with CUPE 2950, it does believe that it is important to have consistent language in our collective agreements. In essence, the proposed language states that while the University maintains its ability to contract out the work done by bargaining unit members, no CUPE 2950 employees will be terminated as a result of contracting out.

CUPE 116

Contracting out -- In mediation on Friday, February 14, the University bargaining team tabled its proposal to CUPE 116 on contracting out. Background on this issue and the proposal is in Bargaining Bulletin #24. In yesterday's mediated talks, the University clarified its position a propos employment security for the approximately 80 employees who will be affected by this proposal; specifically that these CUPE 116 members will be provided with comparable work and pay.

Wages -- the University tabled its wage offer yesterday. As reported previously, PSEC mandates 0%, 0% and 0% for general wage increases. However, based on market competitiveness, the University proposed increases for Research and Engineering Technicians.

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Medicine professor awarded for Distinguished Contribution to Medical Education

Gordon Page has been awarded the Canadian Association of Medical Education (CAME) Award for Distinguished Contribution to Medical Education.

Director of Educational Support and Development in the Faculty of Medicine, Page is also very involved in the medical school expansion and is special advisor to the dean with regard to the MD undergraduate program.

Page joined UBC in 1975 and is a professor in the Dept. of Medicine.

The CAME award recognizes senior faculty who have made an exceptional contribution to medical educating throughout their academic career.

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Conference on Preventing Crimes Against Humanity comes to UBC

On March 21 and 22 scholars, authors and human rights advocates will work together at the Canadian Conference on Preventing Crimes against Humanity: Lessons from the Asia Pacific War (1931-1945).

Hosted at the UBC First Nations Longhouse, this two-day conference will examine the history of the Asia Pacific War and apply the lessons learned to current humanity issues. It has been organized to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

For a complete list of distinguished speakers and conference information, go to www.aplconference.ca. Students are eligible for a registration fee subsidy that has been made possible by a grant from the Walter H. Gage Memorial Fund.

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