Author: aspasask

Labour in the News

SEIU – West Worksite Actions

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Hello ASPA,

I write to you today on behalf of our 12,000 members who provide health care within the Sask Health Authority, as they are in need of support.  This group of members provide a variety of valuable services on the health care team: they are continuing care assistants, licensed practical nurses, diagnostic and therapeutic technologists, maintenance personnel, sterile processing workers, administration, food services and environmental services among others.  They have been without a contract since March 31, 2017 and they are done waiting.  Understandably, in the context of COVID, these members are on the front line – they are faced daily with staff shortages – crushing workloads – far too many overtime demands – denied vacation – and the list goes on.  All the while they are still be paid 2016 rates of pay.  It is entirely unfair – and it is a result of our government stubbornly refusing to provide any added resources (beyond their horrible mandate of 0/0/1/2/2) to resolve our contract.

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Member Interest Articles

Job Crafting

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Written by Karen E. Mosier

What is something that most employees have in common? They look for a healthy workplace where they can thrive and be happy and feel that their work has an impact on their organization. Workplace environment has a big impact on employee wellness and engagement. It is absolutely essential that employees enjoy their time at work and find a sense of fulfillment and purpose. Most people assume that if they do not like their job their only option is to leave and find another job. Thankfully, there is another option to consider called job crafting. Job crafting is the practice of making the most of the job that you have. Job crafting is a powerful tool that allows you to increase the control over your own professional life.

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Member Highlights

ASPA Member Highlight – Merv Dahl, Risk and Insurance Coordinator, Safety Resources, University of Saskatchewan

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Written by Karen E. Mosier

Merv majored in Psychology and History and obtained his BA from the University of Manitoba in 1974. He completed his Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) in October 1985 and his Certificate in Risk Management (CRM) in March 2005.

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Bargaining Updates

Bargaining Update

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This is just a note to update you on the employer’s application to the Labour Relations Board (LRB), for a forced vote on their final offer.  We have not heard when the vote will take place.  We have reached out to the LRB to see if they have an idea of when the vote will take place and have not heard back.

The ASPA Bargaining team is asking that members defeat the vote by voting no.  The ramifications of a yes vote will impact the members of ASPA for many years to come.  We need to send a strong message to the employer that Merit reform cannot happen without changes to the increment system.

Your ASPA Bargaining team went to the employer to bargain an agreement which recognizes both the needs of its members and the financial bind that the employer finds themselves in.  The employer’s response to this is an attempt to use the uncertainty of these times and force a vote on an offer that will limit members ability to move in the salary range even more and hamper future bargaining teams from bargaining.

If you have not had a chance to review the material that ASPA has sent to you earlier in June, we would encourage you to review the bargaining updates on June 9 and June 10.

Lastly, we will certainly advise when we hear about the ballots being sent. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions.  We can be reached at aspa@aspasask.ca.

Sent on behalf of the ASPA Bargaining Team

Dawn Giesbrecht, Co-Lead, Curtis Larson, ASPA President, Milan Bogunovic, Colleen Cochran, Graham Wisser, Hugh Wagner, Co-Lead, Darcy Hryn-Bird, ASPA Member Services Officer.

Awards

ASPA Service Awards

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Since 2016 ASPA has been recognizing members for their years of service within ASPA.  ASPA recognizes those members who have reached a milestone year of as of December 31 each year.  This year ASPA will be recognizing 141 members who have been on campus for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years.  We would like to thank you for all of your work.  If you would like to see a complete list of names, please continue reading.

thank you for your service
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Bargaining Updates

Bargaining Update

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In order for you to have all the information that you need in which to make an informed decision on the upcoming vote, the ASPA Bargaining team is providing you with the following comparisons:

  • ASPA proposal to settle dated May 5 versus the Offer that the employer is asking you to vote on of May 7(ASPA FO vs Emp. FO)
  • Employer’s last offer versus what CUPE 1975 and USFA received in their last round of bargaining(ASPA CUPE USFA FO v3 Final)

We are hoping that these documents plus the one we sent yesterday will  assist in further dialogue at the Zoom meetings being held today at 330 pm and on Friday, June 12 at 1030.  Hoping that you can make one of these meetings.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at aspa@aspasask.ca if you have any questions.  Also, don’t forget to follow the ASPA website the ASPA Advocate at www.aspasask.ca.  

Sent on behalf of the ASPA Bargaining Team: Dawn Giesbrecht (Co-Lead), Curtis Larson (ASPA President), Colleen Cochran, Milan Bogunovic, Graham Wisser, Hugh Wagner (Co-Lead) and Darcy Hryn-Bird ASPA Member Services Officer

Bargaining Updates

Bargaining Update

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On June 5th the University of Saskatchewan sent you an infographic describing their bargaining offer to ASPA. That infographic is set out on the right-hand side of this document (Detailed Infographic). Compare the infographic representation to the employer’s “final offer” (on the left-hand side of this document)(Detailed Infographic) that U of S is compelling you to vote on in the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board (SLRB) supervised balloting process.  ASPA believes that our members need to have all the facts so that when it comes time to vote that you will be able to make an informed decision.  The ASPA bargaining team is not recommending acceptance of this proposal.  We will be providing ASPA members with more information tomorrow.  All documents will be discussed during the Zoom meetings held on Wednesday at 3:30 pm and Friday at 10:30 am.  Please refer to the email sent to you yesterday for the details of accessing these meetings or reach out to us at aspa@aspasask.ca with questions.

Sent on Behalf of the ASPA Bargaining Team: Dawn Giesbrecht (Co-Lead), Curtis Larson (ASPA President), Collen Cochran, Milan Bogunovic, Graham Wisser, Hugh Wagner( Co-Lead) and Darcy Hryn-Bird (ASPA Member Services Officer)