Category: Collectively Speaking

Collectively Speaking presents in-depth perspectives on issues affecting USFA members

October “Unions Working Together” Meeting

The “Unions Working Together” monthly meetings of the five unions representing university workers, ASPA, CUPE 1975 and 3257, PSAC, and USFA provide an opportunity for sharing news regarding negotiations, grievances, experiences and approaches to better support their members. Shared concerns of interest to USFA members were discussed during the October monthly meeting. USFA representative Julita… Continue reading October “Unions Working Together” Meeting

CAUT Weighs in on University Council Election Irregularities

Following University Council elections last spring, the USFA Executive decided to ask CAUT to review a summary of the election process. After reviewing the summary, the University of Saskatchewan Act, and University Council’s by-laws on elections procedure with CAUT’s legal staff, Executive Director David Robinson concluded: The short answer is that we are of the… Continue reading CAUT Weighs in on University Council Election Irregularities

Collectively Speaking May 2023 – Involvement Matters

Whether its involvement in the USFA or involvement in our university, it matters. In this issue of Collectively Speaking, USFA Chair Geraldine Balzer offers suggestions on ways you can become involved. She provides one member’s take on the benefits of being involved in university governance and offers insight into why more and more faculty association… Continue reading Collectively Speaking May 2023 – Involvement Matters

Collectively Speaking – March 2023 Teaching Evaluations

Our latest issue of Collectively Speaking is about teaching evaluations. Anxiety inducing for faculty, particularly untenured faculty and faculty seeking promotion, the Association regularly receives questions about teaching evaluations from members. This issue of Collectively Speaking poses some of those questions and offers information and advice in response. Download Collectively Speaking

Collectively Speaking – December 2022 Bargaining Trends and Recent Settlements

The December 2022 issue of Collectively Speaking focuses on bargaining, the background, trends and recent financial settlements at post-secondary institutions in Canada. It also includes a brief update on preparations for our next round of negotiations. Download Collectively Speaking

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The May 2022 issue of Collective Speaking focuses on a presentation, made at the Joint Grievance Committee meeting in mid-March by USFA Senior Grievance Officer Colleen Bell, to senior university administrators. The presentation outlined challenges faculty members encounter with administrative processes at the U of S, and how these challenges add to and impede the… Continue reading Untitled

Collectively Speaking – March 2022 It’s About Choice

The March 2022 issue of Collective Speaking focuses on the statement: It’s about choice. In this issue, USFA Chair Geraldine Balzer remarks on some of the foundational articles of our Collective Agreement and notes the challenge facing us is that each party to the Collective Agreement can choose how to live up to those contractual… Continue reading Collectively Speaking – March 2022 It’s About Choice

Collectively Speaking – February 2022

This issue of Collectively Speaking contains a summary of bargaining trends across Canada and a snapshot of financial settlements negotiated by CAUT academic staff associations over the last year. In addition, we have a message from USFA Chair Geraldine Balzer, information about upcoming meetings with members, and a brief article reminding members to tell us… Continue reading Collectively Speaking – February 2022

Collectively Speaking – November 2021

Our administrative workload: Increases and hurdles to our research Increasingly the USFA is dealing with administrative workload related issues. At the heart of issues faced by members are employer unilateral decisions that are taking their toll. This issue of Collectively Speaking is about two services: 1-Concur particularly as it pertains to travel arrangements, and 2-… Continue reading Collectively Speaking – November 2021