The Communiqué – January 31, 2020
January 31, 2020
In this issue:
- Launch of the 2021 Round Pre-Bargaining Survey
- Call for Committee Volunteers
- Vacant Steering Positions
- CUASA’s 45th Anniversary
- Winter Term Social Events
- Save the Date: Winter General Membership Meeting
- CUASA to File Charter Challenge Against Bill 124
- Update on Health Services Grievance
- Update on Health Plan Grievance
- OCUFA Submissions on 2020 Ontario Budget
- CAUT Statement on Australian Bushfires
- CAUT in Solidarity with India Anti-Government Protesters
Launch of the 2021 Round Pre-Bargaining Survey
CUASA is excited to announce the launch of our pre-bargaining survey to learn the major concerns/issues of CUASA bargaining unit members ahead of the 2021 round. Click above above to watch a brief video from CUASA’s Chief Negotiator, Chantal Dion.
CUASA members can find a link to the survey in their email. It will run until March 31, 2020.
Please note that this survey is meant only for CUASA bargaining unit members. We kindly ask that you please not share the link to the survey.
Thank you for your support! Your input is important and will guide us as we begin planning for bargaining.
Call for Committee Volunteers
The Collective Bargaining Committee is seeking one or two members from the Faculty of Public Affairs to join its ranks and help prepare for the next round of bargaining. For more information on the CBC, please see Bylaw 7 here.
We are also seeking volunteers for CUASA’s Internal Affairs Committee, as well as one volunteer for the Salary Adjustment Commission and one for the Joint Committee on Employment Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
If you are interested in volunteering for any of these vacancies, please email [email protected].
Vacant Steering Positions
Remember that our Association is only as strong as its membership, so we count on the time and commitment of our members to achieve our goals. The Collective Agreement recognizes CUASA work as Service in members’ annual reviews. CUASA may purchase teaching releases under Article 18.8(c), subject to budget availability, and application to/approval by the Steering committee.
The following Steering positions are currently vacant (click the title to see position descriptions):
- Instructor Representative (two-year term)
- Treasurer (two-year term)
- External Relations Officer (two-year term)
- Communications Officer (two-year term)
- Chair, Equity (two-year term)
- Chair, Nominations and Elections (two-year term; note that there is a 0.5 credit teaching release added for this term)
If you are interested in any of these positions, please contact the CUASA Office for a nomination form, either by dropping by 2003 Dunton Tower, or by emailing [email protected].
CUASA’s 45th Anniversary
The year 2020 marks CUASA’s 45th anniversary as a certified trade union. We will be marking this important anniversary throughout the year, including some special events, and using graphics from CUASA’s newsletter archives, like the one above from 1991. We have also updated the CUASA.ca homepage with a banner recognizing 45 years of CUASA Presidents.
Winter Term Social Events
To kick off 45th anniversary celebrations, we’re excited to announce two of our annual social events!
Ottawa Senators CUASA Social Night
Join us for a night of fun on Saturday, February 29 to watch the Ottawa Senators play the Detroit Red Wings at the Canadian Tire Centre. Tickets are just $25. This is a great deal for a night out with family, friends, and colleagues!
Sugar Bush Social Event
CUASA is organizing an event at the Sucrerie du Terroir in Val-des-Monts, QC, on Saturday, March 28, at 2:00pm.
Tickets include an all you can eat lunch. On the menu, you will find mountaineer pea soup, traditional omelette, roasted potatoes, country style sausages, bacon rinds, maple pork tenderloin, healthy baked beans, Creton, pancakes freshly baked bread, and maple mousse small tarts. Sucrerie du Terroir also offers at will maple toffee on snow and roasted marshmallows. You can bring your own wine and beer.
More information on both events, including how to register, can be found here.
Save the Date: Winter General Membership Meeting
We will be holding our Winter GMM on Thursday, February 27, 2020, from 1:00-3:00pm in 608 Robertson Hall (Senate Room). Light refreshments will be available. Full details on the agenda to follow. Updates will be provided on the next three items below.
CUASA to File Charter Challenge Against Bill 124
CUASA has announced its intent to launch a Charter challenge against the government of Ontario’s Bill 124, the Protecting a Sustainable Public Sector for Future Generations Act.
On December 12, 2019, CUASA Council carried a motion that the Association would proceed with its own challenge, which is similar to others filed to date.
Read our full announcement here. More information on this issue will be provided at the Winter GMM on February 27.
Update on Health Services Grievance
Back in October, CUASA filed an Association grievance against the University for winding down access for our members to the campus medical clinic, despite a longstanding practice that allowed CUASA members to use Health Services as a primary healthcare provider.
The formal grievance meeting has been held, and the Employer now has until February 10 to respond to the Union. In the interim, CUASA was reassured by the University that existing faculty patients would not be turned away at the clinic.
A more detailed update will be provided at the Winter GMM on February 27.
Update on Health Plan Grievance
CUASA also grieved the University’s Health plan refusing to accept referrals or prescriptions from nurse practitioners and midwives, which are authorized medical services in Ontario.
We are also awaiting the Employer’s response on this grievance, and expect to provide more details at the Winter GMM on February 27.
OCUFA Submissions on 2020 Ontario Budget
OCUFA has set out its priorities for the 2020 Ontario Budget in a written submission to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs.
OCUFA’s 2020 budget recommendations aim to preserve the accessibility and quality of postsecondary education in Ontario through stable, consistent, and adequate funding, as well as improved working conditions for university faculty.
You can read more on this here.
CAUT Statement on Australian Bushfires
CAUT has released a statement on the bushfire crisis currently gripping Australia. CAUT’s sister organization, the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), is reporting that the fires have directly affected some of their members who have suffered loss of their homes and other financial hardships.
CAUT’s full statement, including donation suggestions, can be found here.
CAUT in Solidarity with India Anti-Government Protesters
CAUT has condemned recent violent police and government attacks at three of India’s leading universities. Over the past month, police and government-backed thugs have beaten students and teachers, and used tear gas and rubber bullets to quell peaceful protests over recent changes to citizenship laws and proposals calling for national registration of all citizens.
CAUT’s full statement can be found here.
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CUASA Communiqué, January 31, 2020 The Communiqué is published by the Carleton University Academic Staff Association (CUASA), 2003 Dunton Tower, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Canada, K1S 5B6. Past issues are archived on the CUASA Web site at CUASA.ca. The Communiqué publishes CUASA-related news and information for our Members and provides Members with a forum to express their CUASA-related ideas and opinions. We want to hear from you! Please send your CUASA-related story ideas, news items, opinion pieces, letters, photographs, and other submissions to the CUASA Office at [email protected]. You can find CUASA’s Accessible Customer Service Policy here. |
