To our USFA colleagues, happy new year and best wishes for the coming year! With the beginning of the winter term, we are setting up more meetings with the Employer. We continue to work toward conclusion of a prolonged, and occasionally contentious, process. Since we began negotiations with the Employer in July 2017, many of… Continue reading Negotiations Update: January 2019
Articles
Event Notice: Walk with UFCW Westview Co-op 5:00-7:00 Dec 20
On Thursday, December 20th SK Federation of Labour (SFL) will be walking the picket line with UFCW 1400 members at the Saskatoon Coop Westview (33rd St W and Ave P N) from 5 pm to 7 pm. The SFL has invited affiliated unions, their locals, Saskatoon Coop members, and others to join them in walking… Continue reading Event Notice: Walk with UFCW Westview Co-op 5:00-7:00 Dec 20
DECEMBER 31, 2018 SPENDING CREDIT AND ALLOCATION DEADLINE APPROACHES FOR FLEXIBLE SPENDING PLAN!
Faculty are reminded that each December 31 is a deadline for the spending of at least some dollar amounts in your Health and/or Personal Spending Accounts under the Flexible Spending Plan. Amounts allocated are only permitted a two year rollover and dollar amounts left unspent after the two year period are returned to the Employer. … Continue reading DECEMBER 31, 2018 SPENDING CREDIT AND ALLOCATION DEADLINE APPROACHES FOR FLEXIBLE SPENDING PLAN!
Changes in R & C Limits and Flexible Spending Account Impact
Faculty are advised to check the upcoming changes effective January 2019 in coverage limits for amounts reimbursed for individual visits to the various paramedical practitioners covered by the Sun Life Extend Health Benefits. While the overall yearly maximum coverage amount remains in effect at $500 per year, changes are occurring in the maximum per visit… Continue reading Changes in R & C Limits and Flexible Spending Account Impact
Event Notice: Walk with UFCW Attridge Dr. Co-op 5:00-7:00 pm Nov 28
UFCW Local 1400 members have been on strike with the Saskatoon Coop since November 1, 2018. Saskatoon and District Labour Council will be walking the picket line with UFCW 1400 members at the Saskatoon Coop Attridge Drive location on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 from 5 pm to 7 pm, and invites affiliated unions, their locals,… Continue reading Event Notice: Walk with UFCW Attridge Dr. Co-op 5:00-7:00 pm Nov 28
Important Reminder: Dec 1 deadline for claims for reimbursement of professional fees
If you are required to maintain a certification or license in order to perform your academic duties, you may be eligible for reimbursement of some or all of your licensing or certification fees (Article 22.12.2). Claims need to be in by December 1. What you need to know: It is your responsibility to make sure… Continue reading Important Reminder: Dec 1 deadline for claims for reimbursement of professional fees
Labour Relations: “Emergency” preparedness
Recently, research employees and out-of-scope employees in the College of Arts and Science received an email regarding contingency planning “in the event of an emergency or if relief work is needed during a CUPE 1975 strike.” The message requested recipients to complete a “confidential” skills inventory form itemizing their credentials or experience in the trades,… Continue reading Labour Relations: “Emergency” preparedness
Labour Relations: A poor state at Canadian Universities
Labour relations are in a poor state at Canadian Universities and we are not immune here at the UofS. In July, some 3,000 contract faculty and graduate teaching and research assistants at York University were legislated back to work after 143 days on the picket line (the longest strike in the post-secondary sector in Canadian… Continue reading Labour Relations: A poor state at Canadian Universities
Important Notice: Claims now being accepted for reimbursement of professional fees
If you are required to maintain a certification or license in order to perform your academic duties, you may be eligible for reimbursement of some or all of your licensing or certification fees (Article 22.12.2). Claims for reimbursement must be submitted between November 1 and December 1, 2018. What you need to know: It is… Continue reading Important Notice: Claims now being accepted for reimbursement of professional fees
U of S faculty respond to Ryerson decision on student evaluations
During the busy summer season, the USFA published an e-Letter about the Ryerson Arbitration on teaching evaluations, where the arbitrator ordered that student-based evaluations of teaching not be used to measure teaching effectiveness in tenure and promotion cases, effective immediately. The decision stated that the evaluations “are imperfect at best and downright biased and unreliable… Continue reading U of S faculty respond to Ryerson decision on student evaluations