At the recent AGM, after Senior Grievance Office Patricia Farnese reported despite unprecedented numbers of arbitrations, some members asked whether this is an attempt to strain the resources of the Association. Secretary-Treasurer Susan Fowler-Kerry reported that USFA remains in a good financial decision. Almost thirty years ago, the membership of USFA voted to establish a… Continue reading The Association is in a good position
Articles
Grievance load soaring
At our Annual General Meeting, Senior Grievance Office Patricia Farnese reporting on behalf of the Association Grievance Committee (AGC) said that the number of grievances the Association is dealing with has been unprecedented. Some highlights from her report: For the second time, a member of Senior Administration was found to have discriminated or retaliated against… Continue reading Grievance load soaring
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, 2017. What you need to know: Claim forms… Continue reading Important Notice: Claims now being accepted for reimbursement of professional fees
Negotiations Update October 2017: Equity and Stability?
Our collective agreement expired June 30, 2017 and we have begun negotiations with the employer. We do not anticipate this being an easy, or a quick, round of negotiations. While our theme for negotiations planning has been “equity and stability” including issues of scope and rank for academic clinicians in the College of Medicine (see… Continue reading Negotiations Update October 2017: Equity and Stability?
Grievance Filed Regarding Appointment of a Senior Administrator
The Association has filed a grievance with respect to the recommendation for tenure and rank after a decanal level appointment. This is not a personal attack on the qualifications of the unit leader, but a matter of upholding the integrity of the collegial processes defined in our Collective Agreement and protecting the jurisdiction of the… Continue reading Grievance Filed Regarding Appointment of a Senior Administrator
Faculty Member’s Complaint of Discrimination by Former Dean Upheld
An Arbitrator recently ruled that the actions of a Dean in removing the responsibility for a University exchange program from a faculty member’s assigned duties for the 2015-2016 academic year was a violation of the collective agreement, and that the Dean’s action was discriminatory and retaliatory in nature because the member had expressed her intention… Continue reading Faculty Member’s Complaint of Discrimination by Former Dean Upheld
Concerns about UnivRS CVs addressed
Some time ago, as part of the UnivRS project, the University undertook to convert curricula vitae of faculty members to a standard format. The process of conversion has not proceeded as quickly as anticipated, and many faculty members have shared concerns with us about errors in the data entry process, limitations with the software, and… Continue reading Concerns about UnivRS CVs addressed
Discussions Proceeding on Total Rewards Website
Your Benefits Committee and the Grievance Committee raised serious concerns about the issues associated with members gaining access to and possible privacy of information violations on the Total Rewards Website. On September 14, 2017, we sent out an e-Letter explaining our concerns about the scope of rights you were being asked to waive to gain… Continue reading Discussions Proceeding on Total Rewards Website
Upcoming Changes to U of S Computer Security
Members of the Executive of the Faculty Association, including our Senior Grievance Officer, Patricia Farnese, had an opportunity to discuss forthcoming changes to computer security with senior ICT staff, including Associate Vice-President of Information and Communication Technology, Shari Baraniuk. The plan includes increasing the security around sensitive institutional information, but also requirements for more security… Continue reading Upcoming Changes to U of S Computer Security
Excessive Workload Assignments
The issue of excessive workload assignments has been raised by members in at least one unit who feel the burden of the institution’s financial concerns are being shifted onto the backs of members. More than a decade ago, USFA negotiated an article entitled Guidelines for Assignment of Duties (article 11.5 in the Collective Agreement). The… Continue reading Excessive Workload Assignments