News Archive
Reminder: Award nominations close Feb 24
February 9, 2017 | All News
Consider nominating someone you know for the USFA’s Dooley Award or Millard Award. The Dooley Award recognizes people or organizations that have been champions of collegial self-governance in Canada. The Millard Award recognizes USFA members who have assisted and/or supported a USFA member or members, or faculty generally, through their involvement with the Association. How …
Negotiations Planning in Tough Economic Times
February 7, 2017 | All News
Going into negotiations we have to consider that the largest source of revenue for the university is the operating grant from the Government of Saskatchewan. With this year’s provincial deficit now projected to be $1.2B and growing, and where “everything is on the table,” what will this mean for our university? Will the U of …
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Important Reminder: March 31 Deadline to submit Sun Life benefit claims
February 3, 2017 | All News
Claims for reimbursement for any expenses from any of the benefit plans must be submitted to Sun Life within 90 days of the end of the calendar year in which the expense is incurred. This deadline applies to 2016 claims made under the Dental Plan, Health Plan or Flexible Spending Program (Health Spending Account or …
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Our Condolences-In Solidarity
February 1, 2017 | All News
To our Muslim co-workers, to our Muslim students, to our whole community, the USFA joins with Canadians across the country in extending our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those killed and injured in the attack in Quebec City on Sunday. As scholars, teachers, and citizens we deplore the emboldening of racists and …
Negotiations Planning: Spouse/Partner employment
January 31, 2017 | All News
Our employer has expressed a commitment to spousal hiring to support the recruitment and retention of faculty, but in recent conversations with new members, the university’s support for spousal and partner hiring (whether academic or otherwise) has been flagged as a problem for families relocating to Saskatoon. We invite you to contact the USFA office …
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Award Nominations Open
January 26, 2017 | All News
Nominations are now open for the Peter C. Dooley Legacy Award and the Peter T. Millard Award. In April we will be presenting these awards at a celebration dinner and we encourage you to submit nominations. Nominations for these Awards can be made by any current USFA member or by any USFA committee. The nomination …
Call for volunteers: Strike policy development
January 18, 2017 | All News
The USFA Executive Committee is looking for volunteers to draft a Strike Policy for the membership’s consideration at the spring general meeting on April 21, 2017. The USFA is now a member of the CAUT Strike Defence Fund. In the event of a strike lasting more than 2 days, we will receive daily strike benefits …
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USFA Conference Fund: Invitation to apply
January 11, 2017 | All News
USFA members are invited to submit an application to the Executive Committee for reimbursement of attendance at a conference/workshop/meeting related to the USFA including, but not limited to, labour relations, academic freedom, employment equity, and workplace health and safety. In the Spring of 2016, the USFA Executive Committee replaced the USFA Policy for Association Spending …
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Guidelines for the Assignment of Duties should not include Goal Setting
November 29, 2016 | All News
Last year we heard from members who were asked to provide an accounting of their planned achievements, including desired research output, number of publications, and grant applications, and were told that this plan would be considered when awarding merit. This year some units are considering whether to incorporate achievement plans into Guidelines for the Assignment …
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Disclosure requirements for Salary Review ranking and decisions
November 24, 2016 | Salaries
It has come to our attention that the reporting requirements of the salary review process are not being met. 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 …
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Day of Action: 1:00 pm Nov 2 in the Bowl
November 1, 2016 | All News
The USFA Executive has voted to endorse the Canadian Federation of Students’ National Day of Action calling for a national, universal, tuition-free system of public, post-secondary education. Students, workers, community members are uniting to mobilize for a cross-country Day of Action on Wednesday, November 2nd, 2016. Join others in the Bowl from 1:00pm to 3:00pm …
Here’s what you need to know about reimbursement of professional fees
November 1, 2016 | All News
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, 2016. What you need to know: Claim forms …
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Academic Freedom and Freedom from Sexual Assault
October 28, 2016 | All News
For ten years now, the USFA has sponsored an annual Academic Freedom Event. This year, Dr. Dianne Miller, a historian and sociologist of education, raised the question of whether women can inquire in a manner free from institutional restraints where they are victims of sexual predation and violence. Read what she had to say in …
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About your eligibility for the housing assistance benefit
October 19, 2016 | All News
As a member of the USFA, you are eligible for housing assistance to aid in the purchase of a new principal residence. The University’s website states that people in term positions must be in the term position for a minimum of three (3) years in length from the date of application to be eligible. However, …
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UManitoba Faculty Association votes 86% in favour of strike
October 18, 2016 | All News
The University of Manitoba Faculty Association has voted 86% in favour of strike action, and is seeking a one-year deal with an average salary increase of 6.9%. UMFA is demanding a raise that would lift its members from the bottom of the salary scale seen in the U15 group of universities. The union has claimed …
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FYI: Sun Life drug cards, drug coverage, travel benefits
October 18, 2016 | All News
Learn why you might not be reimbursed for the entire cost of a prescription by not using your Sun Life drug card: The Importance of Using Your Direct-Pay Drug Card Find out how to obtain drug coverage beyond the 34 and 100 day limits normally applied to prescriptions: Obtaining Prescriptions for Extended Leaves Get some …
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Fall General Meeting October 21
October 13, 2016 | All News
2:30 p.m. Arts 241, Neatby Timlin Theatre The meeting package has been distributed to members. A limited number of hard copies will be available at the meeting. Members wishing to reserve a copy should confirm their attendance by email to usfa@usaskfaculty.ca. The agenda will include: Elections Committee vote Grievance Committee update Association financial report Negotiations …
Important: Reimbursement of professional fees
October 12, 2016 | All News
Please take note of the following important changes regarding reimbursement of professional fees (Article 22.12.2): reimbursement can now be applied to your APEF reimbursement will no longer be applied to research accounts The next claim period is November 1 to December 1, 2016, for fees paid between December 1, 2015, and November 30, 2016. Following …
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Elections Committee Call for Candidates
October 11, 2016 | All News
The USFA is seeking members interested in being elected to the newly restructured Elections Committee. Recent changes to the USFA Constitution include a restructured Elections Committee. This Committee is responsible for directing Executive Committee elections. It consists of five regular members of the Association elected annually by the membership. Current Executive Committee members and anyone …
Are you new to the USFA? Come for Lunch!
September 7, 2016 | All News
The USFA invites all members in the first few years of their appointment at the U of S to join us for lunch at the University Club. Come to meet colleagues from across campus, find out more about the Collective Agreement and get to know some of the people who negotiate with the employer on …