CAUT Council has approved new policy statements on social justice, equity, outsourcing and renewal and retention of academic staff. Complete texts of the policy statements can be viewed at www.caut.ca/english/about/policy/default.asp.

Social Justice

The social justice policy asserts that social justice is a dynamic goal of democratic societies that includes respect for the democratic rights and civil liberties of every individual, as well as the inherent right of every person, without discrimination, to equitable access to food, shelter, meaningful work, health care, education and public services. The policy statement notes that "education is inextricably linked with social justice."
www.caut.ca/english/about/policy/socialjustice.asp

Equity

The policy on equity addresses equity for marginalized groups who are excluded from full participation in the academy, including Aboriginal peoples, women, visible/racialized minorities, persons with disabilities, and lesbians, gays and transgendered peoples. The policy states the goal of equity is to "achieve inclusiveness and social and economic justice through recognition, respect, numerical representation, accountability, responsibility and the development of balanced, healthy and harmonious working environments."
www.caut.ca/english/about/policy/equity.asp

Outsourcing

The policy on outsourcing covers "contracting out" - work that is performed by non-employees at an establishment other than the employer's place of work, and "contracting in" - where an employer contracts with another company to supply persons at the workplace to perform work similar to that of bargaining unit members or where an employer contracts with a consultant to provide services at the work-place that are identical or similar to those done by bargaining unit members. The policy calls for "contractual restrictions on an employer's ability to contract for academic and other services" and a "prohibition on outsourcing, unless an association agrees to a specific, limited exception."
www.caut.ca/english/about/policy/outsourcing.asp

Renewal & Retention

The policy on renewal and retention of academic staff asserts the need for "fostering renewal within the institution." It calls for priority to be given to the creation of full-time continuing positions when new positions are required and adding "the academic staff complement shall be maintained by replacing tenured faculty with appointments leading to tenure and by protecting seniority rights for part-time staff and by negotiating procedures for the conversion of contract academic staff positions into continuing appointments."
www.caut.ca/english/about/policy/default.asp