ASPA Advocate
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Unprecedented move by U of S will see workers lose the right to determine the terms of their own pension
Posted on December 11, 2018 – CUPE Saskatchewan
Yesterday, hundreds of members of CUPE 1975 joined together with friends and supporters at the University of Saskatchewan’s University Bowl to tell members of the Executive Board to keep their “Paws off our Pensions”.
The rally comes after a recent arbitration ruling in the university’s favour, which the U of S has insisted gives them the right to make unilateral changes. Unless they are able to negotiate the terms of their pensions, this will be the first time that CUPE 1975 members will HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO SAY on the amounts and guidelines of their life-long retirement savings. READ MORE
Back-to-work legislation may come back to haunt Justin Trudeau
Written by Charles Smith and Larry Savage
The Justin Trudeau government’s use of back-to-work legislation effectively put an end to the rotating strikes waged by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). But the legislation could haunt the governing Liberals in the months and years to come.
First, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, known as CUPW, has a history and culture of militancy, making it unlikely the union will simply roll over in the face of back-to-work legislation.
What’s more, the health and safety and wage disparity issues that precipitated the labour dispute are unlikely to be fully resolved in mediation. Read More
CUPW Challenges Back to Work Legislation in Court
Right to Strike Ruled a Charter Right in 2016 Ontario Superior Court Decision
OTTAWA, Dec. 11, 2018 /CNW/ – The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) will file a constitutional challenge today with the Ontario Superior Court after being legislated back to work by the Liberal government two weeks ago.
“You cannot legislate labour peace,” says Mike Palecek, CUPW National President. “This law violates our right to free collective bargaining under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.”
Bill C-89 forced postal workers to return to work under their previous collective agreements on November 27th after five weeks of rotating strikes, which means that between then and Christmas:
- At least 315 disabling injuries will happen to postal workers;
- Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers (RSMC) will work roughly 250,000 hours without pay; and
- Urban postal workers will work thousands of hours of forced overtime.
ASPA Member Highlight – Curtis Larson, Associate Director of Operations, Office of the Vice-Provost, Health
Written by Karen E. Mosier
Curtis Larson has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Saskatchewan.
He has worked on campus for just over 25 years. Curtis oversees the operations of the Health Science building because no one college owns the building. This coverage includes several colleges and schools including the College of Medicine, College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy & Nutrition, College of Dentistry, School of Public Health, and School of Rehabilitation Science as well as supporting researchers from other colleges. He is involved with space management and allocation, managing the supply centres, and supervising 5 lab managers which provide lab management services to the research cluster laboratories. Read More
Encouraging a Culture of Appreciation in Your Work Place
Written by Karen E. Mosier – Reprinted with permission – Originally printed in CARA Connection Newsletter Vol 4 Issue 1 Nov 2016
Appreciation is a fundamental human need. Employees flourish when their work is
valued, their satisfaction and productivity rises and they are motivated to improve their good work. Read More
Potential CUPE 1975 Job Action – FAQ’s
As you are probably aware, CUPE 1975 took a strike vote at the end of September and the members provided the CUPE 1975 bargaining team with a strike mandate. As an ASPA member you might be wondering what this means for you or how this might impact your work.
ASPA has put together answers to some of those questions that you might have. If your question has not been answered or you require clarification, please contact our Member Services Officer Darcy Hryn – Bird at darcy@aspasask.ca or 306-966-7392. Read More
Did you know? – Pay Stubs
Written by Darcy Hryn – Bird, ASPA Member Services Officer
Do you check your pay stubs each time you get paid? I am thinking that you might be among the majority if you do not.
Members should be getting into the habit of checking their pay stubs with each pay period. Mistakes do happen and it is important for them to be caught early so as to not delay any necessary corrections. Read More
University of Regina academic staff vote overwhelmingly in favour of a strike mandate
Ashley Martin, Regina Leader-Post, November 7, 2018
The University of Regina’s academic staff members have voted overwhelmingly in support of a strike, but the union and university administration remain “optimistic” that one won’t be necessary.
About 87.4 per cent of these University of Regina Faculty Association (URFA) members support a strike, according to a strike vote taken last week. READ MORE
U of R academic staff taking strike vote during “unworkable” bargaining
Ashley Martin, Regina Leader – Post November 1, 2018
The Union representing the University of Regina’s academic staff should know Monday whether its 1.050 members are in favour of a strike, after 16 months without a contract. READ MORE
ASPA Member Highlight – Nate McKenzie, Team Lead Audio Visual Support Services (Zone Support)
Written by Karen E. Mosier
Nate McKenzie has a Diploma in Electric Systems Engineering Technology from Saskatchewan Polytechnic (formerly known as SIAST). He has worked on campus for 13 years.
Nate leads the team that handles audio visual classroom support campus wide – to every building on campus except for Innovation Place. This involves coordinating phone calls, remote trouble shooting, and dispatching technicians to provide aid on site. AV Support is a critical function of Information Technology Services. When a class is in session and technical problems occur, assistance must be provided in a time critical manner. Their overall goal is to provide AV support within a 2 – 10 minute time frame.
