Background an application was made to the labor relations board to include the classification of cooperative education coordinator (CEC) in the MUNFA bargaining unit. The MUNFA bargaining unit is presently comprised of academic faculty members (i.e., lecturers and professors), counseling faculty members, and librarians. Union position MUNFA representatives expressed the intention that if this application were successful, MUNFA would treat CECS as another parallel group within the bargaining unit, covered by separate provisions in the collective agreement with a set of articles similar to those now covering librarians and counseling faculty members in the existing collective agreement. MUNFA considered these employees to be academic professionals in their qualifications and submitted that they have a strong community of interest with the other academic staff. In support of their argument, MUNFA asked that the following be taken into consideration: CECS are not currently included in any bargaining unit and have signed cards stating that they wish to become members of MUNFA. Work terms are defined in MUN'S calendar in the same format as courses, demonstrating the integration of the academic terms with the work terms. CECS are charged with developing the curriculum and the mechanisms that promote the formal integration of classroom and workplace learning. CECS develop the evaluation procedures and apply these through calendar regulations dealing specifically with work terms. CECS make promotion recommendations that carry the same consequences as academic promotions (i.e., the consequences of failing a work term are the same as failing a term or program). Academic staff members and coordinators work in the same physical location, sharing the same program goals, and they educate, evaluate, and promote the same students. Many elements of their education activities can be classified as teaching, either in the traditional sense or as it relates to experiential learning. CECS, like faculty, report directly to deans of their units and their pay is akin to that of a lecturer. CECS conduct research in areas related to cooperative education and also in their own field of expertise and contribute articles to many newsletters, journals, and other publications. The board has already certified MUNFA to represent librarians and counseling faculty. CECS, like librarians and counseling faculty, have a master’s degree and are not required to teach. MUNFA has been able to fairly represent the librarians and counseling faculty through separate provisions in the collective agreement. In other universities, CECS are considered faculty and included in the bargaining unit. The CECS describe themselves as educators in partnership with teaching faculty. For example, MUNFA pointed out that in the engineering faculty, six out of fourteen student semesters are work terms for which the CEC is responsible. Based on these numbers, the CECS state that they have more influence over an undergraduate student's career than any other academic staff or faculty member. Thus, MUNFA requested that the board amend the certification order to include the classification of cooperative education coordinator in the MUNFA bargaining unit. Employer position the employer disagreed that CECS have more influence over an undergraduate student's career than any one academic staff or faculty member. The employer contended that faculty members, librarians, and counseling faculty members have in common their teaching, assisting, and counseling of students on a daily basis, with all of their activities centered around the student; whereas, the primary responsibility of the CECS is to track down relevant jobs within the business community. The employer stated the fact that CECS are not presently included in any bargaining unit is not sufficient reason to include them in the MUNFA unit. The employer denied that CECS share a community of interest with members of the MUNFA bargaining unit. The employer denied that counseling faculty members have more in common with CECS than with regular faculty members and librarians. The employer pointed out that counseling faculty members hold academic rank (e.g., assistant, associate, or full professor) and are expected to engage in scholarly activity. Their promotion from one rank to another is dependant, in part, on their achievements in the area of scholarly activity (research, writing, and publication). the employer further stated that the counseling centre has over the past few years developed a credit course and at least two counseling faculty members teach this course. the employer denied that CECS are academic employees any more than computer technicians or laboratory demonstrators are academic employees.

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

After consideration of all the facts provided in relation to the similarities of the CECs and other MUNFA members activities in the given below paragraphs it could be concluded that CECS must be inclu... View the full answer