ASPA Advocate
Welcome to the online home of ASPA at the University of Saskatchewan
Why a Union Drive at Tim Horton’s in small town Saskatchewan Matters
| By Gerard Di Trolio
On Thursday August 16, workers at the Tim Horton’s in the small town of Canora, Saskatchewan will vote for the second time on whether to certify Workers United Canada Council to represent them. The previous certification vote was held in June 2017. The circumstances of the re-vote for certification called by the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board in a 2-1 decision made on July 20 could have a chilling effect on further unionization efforts in the province. Read more! |
U of S online salary disclosure ‘a step in the right direction’: expert
The University of Saskatchewan followed through on a year-old commitment to improve transparency by publishing an online database of its highest-paid employees’ salaries, bonuses and other pay.
The database includes 955 university employees, each of whom earns more than $125,000 per year. Until last month, that information could only be obtained by visiting the university library and consulting a printed list. READ MORE
Summary of Census Survey – ASPA Brown Bags
Written by Peter Krebs, Research Committee
Lunchtime ASPA Brown Bag (ASPA BBs) sessions can be a useful vehicle for ASPA to bring ASPA members together, to become informed about various elements of their employment at the University, and to discuss such matters in a group based interactive format. In ASPA BBs, we explore and interpret details of important elements in our collective agreement. ASPA BBs also provide direct person-to-person Q&A opportunities. Recordings from various past BBs are available for viewing on the ASPA Advocate website, under “Categories – Brown Bag Sessions”. Read More
Making the Most of your Job
By Karen E. Mosier – Reprinted with permission. Original printed in CARA Connection Newsletter Vol 5 Issue 6 Nov 2017
Over the years I have had many different jobs. Some positions were more exciting and dynamic than others. But regardless of my job description, I love going home with a feeling of satisfaction for all the things that I have accomplished throughout the day. Part of enjoying your career is getting the most out of every day.
ASPA Member Highlight- Kara Loy, Coordinator, Undergraduate Research Initiative
Written by: Karen E. Mosier
Kara Loy has a Master’s degree in Education through the University of Calgary, a Bachelor in Liberal Arts degree in Spanish, and a Bachelor in Arts Honours degree in 
English, with a Certificate in Teaching English as a Subsequent Language; the latter three designations are through the University of Saskatchewan. She has just started an educational doctoral degree through the University of Calgary. She has worked at the University of Saskatchewan for 5 years.
Kara is the Coordinator of the Undergraduate Research Initiative. Her duties are to collaborate with faculty, students and staff to implement undergraduate research into the first-year curriculum, to create a culture of research that includes undergraduate students, and to celebrate their accomplishments. Read More
Legal Aid layoffs cause concern among Saskatoon legal community
Angelina Irinici, Reporter, @angelinaiCTV, Published Wednesday, July 4, 2018 6:28PM CST, Last Updated Wednesday, July 4, 2018 6:43PM CST
The vice-president of CUPE Local 1949, which represents Legal Aid Saskatchewan employees, said layoff notices in the Saskatoon office sent shockwaves through staff.
Six administrative employees, which is the equivalent of four and a half full-time positions, are being cut and three vacant lawyer positions are not being filled, according to union vice-president and Legal Aid lawyer Deb Hopkins. She also said some duty counsel work, which includes bail hearings and sentencings, is being contracted out to private lawyers. READ MORE
Introducing ASPA’s new President
Happy 40th Birthday, ASPA!
My name is Joanie Crandall and it is my pleasure to introduce myself to you as the newly appointed ASPA President for 2018-2019 following the end of Peter Krebs’ term. I look forward to working with returning Vice-Presidents LaVina Watts and Dawn Giesbrecht, staff members Annetta Gellner and Darcy Hryn-Bird and, of course, my Executive sisters and brothers.
Some of you know me already through my work as Coordinator for the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science and Justice Studies, particularly through the Violence and Aggression Symposium. Prior to arriving in Saskatoon, I taught on a remote northern reserve, worked as an Instructional Designer, an Educational Media Assistant, an accounting clerk with an international law firm, and was active as a volunteer with the Canadian Red Cross. While working on my PhD I also ran a small business, taught as a Limited Term Appointment, and was a principal of a school in Nunavut. Besides my work as Coordinator and my new ASPA role, I am also a sessional lecturer with the Colleges of Education and Arts and Science and have acted as a consultant for the Gwenna Moss Centre as a facilitator of Instructional Skills Workshops.
I look forward to working with ASPA members and the other unions here at the U of S in the year ahead. You can contact me at joanie@aspasask.ca.
Enjoy a wonderful summer!
Postdocs at the University of Saskatchewan
by Issac Armstrong, PSAC Regional Representative
The Postdocs of the PSAC 40004 Local have been bargaining with the University for our first collective agreement since October 2017. We are into the hardest part of bargaining – negotiating improvements to salaries and benefits.
Did you know?
University of Saskatchewan Postdoctoral Fellows (Postdocs):
- Are highly educated researchers, often with greater than 10 years of post-secondary education;
- Are full time staff;
- Contribute to the academic success of the University through innovative research and publications, grant income, graduate student mentorship and training, and production of intellectual property.
These contributions are essential to the University’s status as a U15 research institute. Read More
Introducing one of the University’s newest Unions.
By Issac Armstrong, PSAC Regional Representative
We are Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) Local 40004. Our local represents approximately 1100 members on campus. Our membership is comprised of three main groups:
- The graduate workers (Teaching Assistant/Research Assistant/Student Assistant), who negotiated a first contract that went into effect in Oct 2017. This group has around 850 members across campus.
- We also proudly represent around 200 Post-doctoral fellows, who are currently in first contract negotiation with the employer. (see info sheet below)
- Recently, we certified around 50 new members working as veterinary residents at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. This group is currently in the process of selecting a bargaining team.
