In March of 2021, Black University of Saskatchewan community members came together and formed The Black Faculty and Staff Caucus (BFSC-USask). The mission of BFSC-USask is to be the voice of all Black faculty and staff at the University of Saskatchewan, and to provide support and guidance to members, increase their visibility and engagement on campus,… Continue reading USask Black Faculty and Staff Caucus
Author: Abbie
It’s about choice: IT policies are strangling research productivity
For the past three years, USFA has been working to communicate to the Employer the severe damage that is being done to members’ research productivity as a result of its short-sighted IT policies. We have made some progress but regrettably faculty continue to waste hours of their time simply attempting to get the equipment and… Continue reading It’s about choice: IT policies are strangling research productivity
December 6 – National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
Today is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. On December 6, 1989, 14 female engineering students were murdered and ten others injured in an act of gender-based violence (GBV). Violence against women and girls is the world’s largest and most persistent human rights violation. This day is an opportunity to… Continue reading December 6 – National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence
Between November 25 and December 10, the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) and Canadian unions are taking part in 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence. From learning more about this issue to raising awareness, you can be a part of this activism. In 2020, the CLC and researchers from the University of Western Ontario and the… Continue reading 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence
REMINDER: December 31, 2022 is the Spending Credit and Allocation Deadline for the Flexible Spending Plan!
Spend Unused Credits! December 31 is the deadline for spending at least some of your Health and/or Personal Spending Accounts under the Flexible Spending Plan. Amounts remaining in the fund will carry over for only one year, and allocated funds left unspent after two years are returned to the Employer. Make sure you spend the… Continue reading REMINDER: December 31, 2022 is the Spending Credit and Allocation Deadline for the Flexible Spending Plan!
Laurentian University – Auditor General Review Report
The Auditor General of Ontario’s Special Report on Laurentian University was released last week. It details financial mismanagement that led Laurentian’s senior administration to the unprecedented decision to seek insolvency protection rather than government assistance, a decision which the Auditor General says was unnecessary, inappropriate and destructive. The Auditor General describes her review of Laurentian University’s operations… Continue reading Laurentian University – Auditor General Review Report
Salary Review Reporting Requirements
The Collective Agreement requires that Department and College Salary Committees report their rankings, decisions, and reasons to members of their unit. These reports are an important part of ensuring a fair, inclusive, and transparent process. They serve to document the distribution of special increases across the full range of faculty duties and help members determine… Continue reading Salary Review Reporting Requirements
Possible Job Action: Sessional Lecturers
Yesterday we learned the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety was informed on November 7 that negotiations between the union representing sessional lecturers, CUPE 3287, and the University of Saskatchewan had reached impasse. The employer confirmed there are no essential service considerations in the sessional bargaining unit and the parties are awaiting the appointment… Continue reading Possible Job Action: Sessional Lecturers
Nursing
Members of the USFA Executive met with the President and Provost on October 18thabout the current state of the College of Nursing. Our overall message was that the USFA remains extremely concerned that the problems facing the College are not being given sufficient priority. Despite some positive changes, the new Associate Deans lack support, there are… Continue reading Nursing
Important Notice: Claims now being accepted for reimbursement of professional fees
If, as a condition of employment, 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, 2022. What you need to… Continue reading Important Notice: Claims now being accepted for reimbursement of professional fees