A committee was instructed by the
association to research the pros and cons
of forming a union vs. belonging to an
2xisting union.

The committee invited A.U.C.E.
members from U.B.C. to come to
Capilano College and speak to all the
staff about the benefits of joining
A.U.C.E. Besides being an appropriate
organization (representing educational
employees) other reasons for seriously
considering A.U.C.E. membership were:
1. we would have own autonomy
2.no strike pay would be paid out to
other locals
3.we did not have to sympathize with
other locals and would not have to go
out on strike for their issues.

A preliminary vote was taken and came
through positively. After that "signing
up" then proceeded with a majority of
70%. Certification only requires 35%.
We finally were certified in December
1974 - one year from the time the
research committee was formed.

At this time Alf Glenesk left the college.
Mr. Spratt's arrival as our new Principal
followed just behind the formation of the
A.U.C.E. local on campus. He believed
in unions and helped positively in the
first negotiations and the signing of our
first contract.

Our first negotiating team was:
Margaret MacNeill, Larry Berg, Peter
Kellington, Fred  Hoeflok, Melody
Thornber, John Renforth.

Our inexperienced team designed our
first contract from bits and pieces of the
B.C.G.E.U., Okanagan College, C.U.P.E.
and A.U.C.E. Local No. 1 contracts with
a lot of innovative and common sense
approaches of their own.

On the other side of the table,
negotiating for the College were: Mr.
T.J. MaeDonald,

Mrs. M. Kirk, Mr. D. Adkins, Mr. Klaus
Thiel, Mr. H. Kirehner, Mr. P. Spratt
(observer) plus their legal advisors and
chief negotiator: "Mr." Trevino, or his
assistant lawyers.

Management's proposal was made _ up
from suggestions from professional
lawyers. We got a labour lawyer and
spoke with him several times and gave
input on our contract. Our team did not
hear from him and they went to the first
negotiating session without him. "Mr."
Trevino said "Oh, your lawyer said he
will be getting in touch with you, he
hasn't had a chance to look over your
contract yet!" Our committee felt as if
the war had been lost. However,
negotiating went along in a very friendly
atmosphere until the final meeting, when
our negotiating team arrived at Premier
Street (Bursar's Office then) for the
session. The room arrangement had been
changed with the tables 10 feet apart
and there was dour solemn expressions on
the faces of the opposing team. "Mr."
Trevino attacked our team - no more
smiles. Their offer was unacceptable
and they would not accept our reasonable
proposals. This was spring and there was
nothing left to do but wait. And wait we
did, through the summer, until Fall.

The union had already taken a 93% YES
strike vote before the College's last
offer, so they knew we would be ready to
strike when it would be effective. In
August both sides agreed to a mediator,
however, at that point we would have
needed another strike vote as our three
months were up. We convineed the
mediator we meant business, we would
strike unless our minimum offer was
met. The contract was signed on
October 1975 and was for one year.

Ever since that first contract was signed,
the turnover in staff at Capilano College
has declined.

Margaret MacNeill, during all of these
negotiations, was considered to be the
toughest and uncompromising of the
team - she was our Mother, and she
continued her dedication to A.U.C.E.
No. 4 until she left to go to England with
her family. We imagine she still has
restless nights worrying about the well
being of her young and sometimes
unpredictable step-child. he

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