It has been a tumultuous economic year for The University of Western Ontario, but in the midst of it all, the third largest employee group hammered out an 18-month contract in seemingly record time.
Professional and Managerial Association president Hallie McClelland has a goal of boosting membership among PMA-eligible employees.
The Professional and Managerial Association (PMA) represents 900 eligible employees on campus, not only through contract negotiations but through personal and professional support. President Hallie McClelland is looking forward to a year of rebranding and spreading the word about the benefits of being a member.
With 600 members currently on board (PMA is an association, not a union) McClelland’s goal is to increase membership and ensure the association’s voice is heard on all issues affecting the university community, particularly its membership.
Western News reporter Heather Travis sat down with McClelland to find out what it means to be a PMA member.
Western News: What is PMA?
Hallie McClelland: The Professional and Managerial Association represents the leaders and managers on campus. There are 900 PMA positions on campus, of which we have 600 members. Our role is represent those 600 paying members by supporting them in their individual needs, whether it be policy questions, issues with their employer, questions about retirement, and returning to work issues, that kind of thing. We support our members through committees, providing PMA representation on committees across campus, for example the job evaluation committee, the work-safe committee and green initiatives on campus.
We represent our membership by making sure the PMA is seen as a valued employee group across the university. We work directly and indirectly with the administration.
Western News: The PMA is an association and not a union, right? What does this mean?
McClelland: Unions on campus have a mandatory membership and there is a voting process and an opportunity to strike. The PMA, the members chose to be an association and therefore we have a work-to-rule opportunity as opposed to a striking opportunity.
Being an association allows us to have more flexibility when it comes to the relationship-building side with administration.
Western News: It seems the university treats PMA like other union groups on campus.
McClelland: Yes. We have the same rights and responsibilities as the other unions. We negotiate our contracts in the same way. During this last contract negotiation, I think the positive relationship that we have with administration did us well because we were able to work through both of our needs, desires and wants with regards to the contract negotiations because of that positive relationship.
Western News: Considering the financial climate of the university, it seemed the contract was done in almost record time.
McClelland: This time around we hired a professional negotiator, but in the end I would say our negotiating committee is made up of incredible volunteers who worked very diligently to make sure the administration heard our members’ needs and they worked with the administration very collegially to get the contract completed quickly.
Western News: Fifteen members took the early retirement package and 25 PMA positions were eliminated. How has this impacted your membership?
McClelland: Just like any other group on campus, we have survivors’ guilt and sadness and fear. We have an entire campus that needs to recover. As an association, on top of everything else we are doing, we are making sure our members are supported.
We are working with administration for opportunities for training and education.
Western News: What are PMA members’ biggest issues?
McClelland: In this last year I’ve noticed our members’ issues are case-by-case. It has to do with making sure they personally have the right contract for them and the right benefits for them; that they are valued in their jobs; and that is seen from all around. Our members want to do a great job on campus and provide added value and they want to make sure they have a good balance in their jobs as well. They want to make sure their performance reviews are taken seriously and respected.
Overall the association is looking to make sure the university community is reminded we are the third largest employee group on campus and we create an impact on campus. We are the historical knowledge for the university. Many of our members have been on campus three or four decades, so if you want to know about this campus’ history, you go to a PMA member.
Western News: Has PMA ever talked about unionization?
McClelland: An occasional member talks about it and then an occasional member talks about never wanting to unionize. Everyone has their own opinion, but as an association over and over again the membership has voted to stay as an association.
Western News: How do you become a PMA member?
McClelland: Contact the PMA office, located at the University Community Centre. They will get a membership form and $12 a month is deducted from their pay cheque. It is considered a union due, so that money is 100 per cent tax deductable.
Lots of exciting things are happening this year with PMA. We are rebranding our logo and title. Our message is to make sure everyone sees the PMA and is welcomed into the PMA and we grow our numbers as people feel we provide a value to the campus, particularly PMA members.
We are always looking to increase our membership. I would love to have 100 per cent PMA positions filled by PMA members. Not everyone has felt the value of the PMA and I think that is because they haven’t talked enough to people who are members. I didn’t know what the PMA could do for you until I became more involved.
Western News: How does PMA support constituents?
McClelland: From holding someone’s hand when they are going through something personal or they feel there is nobody to turn to when they have to be in a room sitting across from an administration person, it is scary stuff. You get someone to be with you, an advocate and a voice, through all of that.
There are opportunities to network and to socialize. We know people’s professional development budgets are shrinking, so we want to fill that gap a bit and provide some educational sessions that are interesting to our membership.
PMA is made up of about 50 members who dedicate their time to helping other members and make sure people’s workplaces are enjoyable, equitable and respectful.
Western News: What is the difference in the support for PMA members versus those who are PMA-eligible?
McClelland: As a PMA member, if you have a question about policies regarding your work, performance, or issue about your employer, a colleague, staff member, questions about career, retirement, or anything to do with your life at Western, you can call us and ask.
If you are being called in to a meeting with administration, your supervisor and a human resources manager, members can call the PMA office and request representation for any and all of those things. A PMA representative will take notes, interpret the issues and sit with you afterwards to review the issues brought up at the meeting.
If you are not a PMA member, you have to go to Human Resources with these questions for support.
For information, visit www.uwo.ca/pma.