August 2023
As we anticipate the upcoming academic year, I trust that everyone has been enjoying a summer filled with chances for leisure and reconnecting with others. As I take on the role of ASPA President for the 2023-2024 term, I want to extend my genuine gratitude to our outgoing President, LaVina Watts. Her outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to enhancing the ASPA reputation and elevating the standing of all members have been truly commendable. LaVina is consistently supporting me, whether it was addressing minor operational queries or tackling significant questions about the interpretation of articles in our collective bargaining agreement.
I’d also like to acknowledge the invaluable assistance and guidance I received from past ASPA leaders: Brad Steeves, Curtis Larson, Dawn Giesbrecht, Peter Krebs, Ken Glover, Alexis Dahl, Chris O’Grady, and numerous others. Recognition is also due to our current Vice Presidents, Philip Hitchings, and Aditya Manek, who are providing impartial insights that aid us in steering ASPA in the right direction. Furthermore, I want to recognize the executive members for their contributions in devising various initiatives to enhance the membership experience. Our association is fortunate to have an exceptional contingent of ASPA members who volunteered their time for various committees. I encourage all ASPA members who can find some time to volunteer for ASPA committees and consider running for future leadership roles.
No initial message from the president would be whole without acknowledging the immense assistance I obtained from our two ASPA staff members – Angeline Hainstock and Glenn Billingsley. I also want to express our gratitude for the exceptional efforts of the negotiating team, Alexis Dahl (Co-Lead), Candice Pete-Cardoso, Glenn Billingsley, Hugh Wagner (Co-Lead), Ken Glover, Kerry O’Shea, and LaVina Watts, whose remarkable work led to the recent ratification vote. On behalf of the ASPA membership, I extend our thanks to the entire negotiation team.
ASPA UPDATES
Executive Members
The Annual General Meeting was short and to the point, hopefully our technical issues will be improved through the year as we intend to have more hybrid meetings with the membership. The new Executive members assumed office as of May 1, 2023, and we held our first meeting on May 11, 2023. During that meeting, four leadership roles were filled for 2023-24, including Philip Hitchings and Aditya Manek as Vice-Presidents, Erica Li-Humen as Treasurer and I was voted into the role of president.
The other new members of the Executive are as follows ASPA Leadership (2023-24)
- Aditya Manek
- Angela Ryde
- Alain Fafard
- Brianna Groot
- Erica Li-Humen
- Julie Maier
- Meghan McLaughlin
- Melanie Fauchoux
- Paige Larsen
- Paul Jacob
- Philip Hitchings
- Simona Meier
The Executive met June 12, 2023, for a full day meeting to discuss the goals and changes they would like to accomplish this year. From this meeting, it was decided to dissolve the individual committees and the social events in order to have better meaning behind member engagement going forward. The volunteers will become a new committee of The Engagement Committee. This will encompass all the responsibilities of the Communications and Public Relations Committee, Education Committee, and the Social Committee.
Membership
The ASPA membership continues to stay strong with 1560 members as of this month. Fluctuations in membership numbers are usually due to casual employees, such as marker/proctors. We have had four (4) layoffs in ASPA since January of this year.
Standing Committee Updates from Committee Chairs
Communications and Public Relations
The communications and public relations committee has been working hard to improve membership engagement and transparency on what goes on behind the scenes.
There has also been a suggestion box added to the Website, you can find it on the right-hand side under categories here. Please feel free to leave any of your comments and suggestions for the Executives. Changes have been made to ensure it is anonymous for those who chose to be.
Education Committee
The education committee has facilitated the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Conference being held by the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) in Saskatoon, September 13-15, 2023. ASPA has taken care of fourteen (14) members registration, and two (2) of those members out of town accommodations.
There will be a Lunch and Learn session about Accommodations on October 11, 2023. This session will be presented by our Member Services Officer, Glenn Billingsley. Please watch your emails, as the details will be sent out at a later date.
Research Committee
The research committee has remained available to respond to Executive and member requests. New activities are being planned for the fall term.
Social and Social Justice Committee
The social justice committee is being dissolved as the purpose and responsibilities fall into every aspect of ASPA and its purpose.
Bargaining
The Bargaining Team began negotiation meetings with the employer over a number of months in 2022 and proceeded to meet with them in the Spring of this year, releasing updates via email in April and May.
On July 17, 2023, the team announced that a tentative agreement was reached at the bargaining table on June 21, 2023, with the recommendation that the agreement be accepted (ratified) by the membership. Information sessions were announced and held in a hybrid fashion July 20th & 26th with the agreement available via link to the membership to view.
Voting for the tentative agreement took place August 2 – 9, 2023, via the Simply Voting service. The membership was informed the agreement was ratified with the majority of the membership voting yes. Tentative Agreement 2023 FAQ’s
General Office
As a reminder, our Administrative Assistant, Angeline Hainstock, is in our general office and is available to help answer your questions. The ASPA office hours are Monday – Thursday, 8:00am – 4:00pm, 304 Kirk Hall, or 302 Kirk Hall on Friday’s. Please feel free to contact us any time at 306.966.2471, by email at aspa@aspasask.ca or by stopping by.
Member Services
It is hard to believe Glenn has been with ASPA for over a year now, how time flies! He continues to be an irreplaceable asset to our Membership.
We currently have five (5) grievance cases that are active and two (2) non-grievance cases. In addition, ASPA filed two (2) Policy Grievances over the past year. The first being the Improper Distribution of Bargaining Work, which ASPA was awarded in December of 2022. Since then, ASPA waits for the University to file their Judicial Review application to the SK Labour Relations Board (LRB). The second grievance was for Supplemental Benefits 20.7.5., which was awarded to ASPA in January of 2023.
If you have any questions or would like information regarding your union, if you believe you are being treated unfairly, or in ways that do not align with your contract, our member services officer is designed to advocate on your behalf. Please connect with Glenn. His office is in Kirk Hall 302 and can be reached at glenn@aspasask.ca or 306.966.7392.
In solidarity,
Paul Jacob, ASAP President (2023 – 2024)