ASPA Advocate
Welcome to the online home of ASPA at the University of Saskatchewan
2018-2019 ASPA Executive
The 2018 – 2019 ASPA Executive members are listed below. Click HERE to access a PDF version of this list.
ASPA – Roughriders BBQ
Register here for the event: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/aspa-roughriders-bbq-tickets-46026526580
2018 AGM Summary
AGM 2018
The ASPA Annual General Meeting took place Wednesday, April 18, 2018. For the third year, service awards were given out prior to the AGM for 5 year increments of service, up to 30 years, as in the first year 30+ years of service were recognized as well. There were 155 members in attendance at the AGM – a few for whom it was their first ASPA AGM and a few for whom it would be their last, either because of retirement or taking advantage of the voluntary exit program. Read More
National Day of Mourning
The National Day of Mourning, held annually in Canada on April 28, is dedicated to remembering those who have lost their lives, or suffered injury or illness on the job or due to a work-related tragedy.
Statistics and beyond
The most recent statistics from the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC) tell us that in 2016, 905 workplace deaths were recorded in Canada. Among those dead were 6 young workers aged 15-19; and another 20 workers aged 20-24.
Add to these fatalities the 241,508 claims accepted for lost time due to a work-related injury or disease, including 29,588 from workers aged 15-24, and the fact that these statistics only include what is reported and accepted by the compensation boards, and it is safe to say that the total number of workers impacted is even higher.
What these numbers don’t show is just how many people are directly affected by these workplace tragedies. Each worker death impacts the loved ones, families, friends and coworkers they leave behind, changing all of their lives forever. READ MORE
SGEU members reject offer from provincial government
Published on April 25, 2018 by D.C. Fraser, Regina Leader – Post
Members of Saskatchewan Government and General Employees’ Union (SGEU) bargaining unit have rejected a Memorandum of Agreement deal with the province.
The deal on the table for members offered wage increases of 0, 0, 1 and 2 per cent over four years.
The last contract expired at the end of September 2016, meaning the first two years without increases would have been partially retroactive. READ MORE
ASPA Service Awards
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 137 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. To see a complete list of names continue reading.
40th Anniversary Monthly Pizza Social
Where: Health Sciences D wing Atrium
When: Thursday April 26th 12pm – 1:00pm
Please be sure to sign up early and save a spot by registering for a ticket and selecting your food preference for Variety, Gluten Free, or Vegan.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aspa-40th-anniversary-monthly-pizza-social-registration-45077187080”
Merit
It is that time of year again. Every year at this time people’s thoughts turn to Merit. What is it and how do I get it?
Merit is outlined in the Collective Agreement (Article 9.5). Merit is awarded in either a lump sum or an “add to base” allocation to ASPA members when their “proficiency, growth and levels of performance are considerably better than what is viewed as normal and recognizes exceptional contributions.”
It is intended that up to 60% of eligible ASPA members will be awarded a merit award in any given year with approximately two thirds receiving base salary merit increase and the other one third receiving lump sum bonuses.
Eligibility for Merit requires that a member “must be in the same position, in the same department as of November 1 of the current fiscal year” (Article 9.6.2). Neither your individual status nor the status of the position you are in determine your eligibility for Merit.
The exact merit process depends on the unit/department/college that you are working in. Most units/departments/colleges have their own process. As a general comment however it is the ASPA member’s responsibility to submit documentation to their supervisor in order to be considered for merit. You should speak to your supervisor about when this documentation needs to be submitted by and what the exact process is. Your unit/department/college will need to provide Human Resources the names of those selected for Merit by June 15th.
For more information on Merit or to access the forms please go to: https://working.usask.ca/manageperformance/considerpositionreview.php or contact ASPA’s Member Services Officer at darcy@aspasask.ca or 306-966-7392.
University’s expanded Retirees Association welcomes new members
By Judith Rice Henderson, USRA Membership Chair
When you leave the University of Saskatchewan for other employment or retirement, would you like to stay in touch with the campus and/or your former co-workers? Consider joining the University of Saskatchewan Retirees Association (USRA) by applying for a free first year of membership (a $20 value) or by taking out a Life Membership (with fees prorated by age). USRA is now the University’s only retirees association, having welcomed as Life Members during the 2017-18 academic year the membership of the recently dissolved University of Saskatchewan Non-Academic Retirees Association (USNARA).
Elmwood Residences failed to provide evidence strike would harm residents
The Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board dismissed the request eight days later. In a written decision published this week, the three-member panel said Elmwood had an arguable case but failed to demonstrate that the “very circumscribed” strike launched in mid-February could cause “potentially … READ MORE
