Collective bargaining at Mount Royal University
Mount Royal University (MRU) has approximately 1,655 full-time equivalent employees, with most represented by either the Mount Royal Faculty Association (MRFA) or the Mount Royal Staff Association (MRSA). The University’s Board of Governors engages in collective bargaining with both the MRFA and the MRSA.
Collective agreements for each of the MRFA and MRSA can be found online here. In addition to providing information about collective bargaining processes, the University is committed to providing updates about the status of those negotiations.
Post-secondary collective bargaining in Alberta
Mount Royal University, like other universities and colleges in Alberta, is a public sector employer. The labour relations and collective bargaining of Alberta’s post-secondary institutions are governed through the Alberta Labour Relations Code, the Public Service Employee Relations Act (PSERA) and the Post–secondary Learning Act (PSLA).
The Provincial Bargaining and Compensation Office (PBCO) is the central agency that coordinates collective bargaining with the broader public sector employers in Alberta. The Alberta Labour Relations Board is an independent tribunal responsible for administering the Labour Relations Code and applying the legislation governing collective bargaining.
Collective bargaining process
Collective bargaining determines the terms and conditions of employment through direct negotiations between a union and an employer. The Government of Alberta has an informative Bargaining 101 page that defines a number of terms used in this process.
A typical collective bargaining process includes the following:
- A notice to commence collective bargaining initiates collective bargaining and can be issued by MRU or the MRFA/MRSA.
- Negotiations start with the exchange of opening proposals from both MRU and the MRFA or MRSA. This may include proposed additions, changes or deletions relating to the current collective agreement.
- Bargaining teams representing MRU and the associations meet for a scheduled series of negotiations. The Labour Relations Code requires that both parties bargain in good faith and make every reasonable effort to enter into a renewal collective agreement.
- At any time during collective bargaining, either or both parties may request assistance from a mediator. If an agreement cannot be achieved through negotiations and an impasse is reached, there are a number of methods for resolving disputes in collective bargaining.
- When the bargaining teams have reached a settlement on a tentative renewal collective agreement, the agreement must then be ratified by MRU’s Board of Governors and membership of MRFA or MRSA.
Updates on bargaining
Bargaining updates will come from the lead negotiator at each bargaining table and be included on this dedicated page when they are available.