AESES-UM Bargaining (2026)
March 31, 2026
The AESES-UM Bargaining Team has finalized its proposals and prepared them for presentation to the membership for approval. The team’s objective is to negotiate a collective agreement that most accurately reflects the interests of the membership.
Tentative bargaining dates have been scheduled with the employer, with negotiations expected to begin in late April or early May. The parties have agreed to use an Interest-Based Negotiations (IBN) approach, which emphasizes collaborative problem-solving to reach mutually acceptable outcomes while continuing to advocate for member priorities. While negotiations have not yet started, the Bargaining Team is actively preparing, refining priorities, and drawing on member input and priorities to guide their work. Regular updates will be provided as bargaining progresses to keep members informed.
A Membership Meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 13 and AESES-UM members have been invited.
January 27, 2026
The AESES-UM Negotiation Committee completed its work on January 26, 2026, following a first meeting on September 16, 2025, and a total of 12 in-depth sessions. Over this period, the committee carefully reviewed hundreds of proposals submitted by members, as well as those developed by the AESES Business Office. Each proposal was discussed thoughtfully and considered thoroughly, ensuring that all perspectives were taken seriously as part of the process to prepare for upcoming contract negotiations.
At the University of Manitoba, the AESES-UM Negotiation Committee has completed its work, and a Bargaining Team of seven members and two alternates has been established. Team members include:
- Chair: Dave Nicholls (Social Work)
- Secretary: Alex McGregor (Dean’s Office, Faculty of Arts)
- Member: Will Christie (IST – Computer/Network Services)
- Member: Divjyot Grewal (Student Experience and Development)
- Member: Kasey Morgan (Grad Studies)
- Member: Antonietta Senkow (Libraries)
- Member: Teddy Zegeye-Gebrehiwot (IST – Technology Services Media Production)
- Alternate: Anoja Barham (UM Press)
- Alternate: Rob Dvorski (IST)
- AESES Executive Director: Colleen Thompson
- AESES Labour Relations Officer: Lorne Hilton
- AESES Member Services Officer: Daniel Matthes
- AESES Member Services Officer: Leanne Shumka (Alternate)
August 27, 2025
The current 7-year Collective Agreement with the University of Manitoba is set to expire on March 27, 2026. A Negotiation Committee was recently formed, with the following members elected by acclamation as representatives to a position on the AESES-UM Negotiation Committee:
- District 1: Deanne Fulawka (Animal Sciences)
- District 2: Frank Snare (Physical Plant)
- District 3: Divjyot Grewal (Student Experience and Development)
- District 3: Brendan Devlin (Registrar’s Office)
- District 3: Kasey Morgan (Grad Studies)
- District 4: Melinda Sasek (Stu Clark Centre)
- District 4: Harley Stasiuk (Security Services)
- District 5: Anoja Barham (UM Press)
- District 6: Kristofer Isaak (Physics and Astronomy)
- District 6: Teddy Zegeye-Gebrehiwot (IST – Technology Services Media Production)
- District 6: Will Christie (IST – Computer/Network Services)
- District 7: Antonietta Senkow (Libraries)
- District 7: Alex McGregor (Dean’s Office, Faculty of Arts)
- District 7: Robert Dvorski (IST – Engagement Services)
- District 8: Dave Nicholls (Social Work)
- District 8: Rob Parker (Dean’s Office, Faculty of Arts)
- District 31: Karen Simpson (Psychiatry)
- District 32: Doug Heinrichs (Security Services)
- Executive Appt: Kevin Ferreira (Food and Human Nutritional Sciences)
- Executive Appt: Riley Proulx (I. H. Asper Dean’s Office)
- Executive Appt: Tony Wong (IST – Enterprise)
- AESES Executive Director: Colleen Thompson
- AESES Labour Relations Officer: Lorne Hilton
- AESES Member Services Officer: Leanne Shumka
- AESES Member Services Officer: Daniel Matthes
The team will begin meeting to discuss and review potential proposals, as submitted by the membership and the AESES Business Office, working on your behalf to negotiate a new contract which best reflects the interests of our membership.
June 16, 2025
AESES informed members that preparations for the UM bargaining process were underway, following the expiration of our collective agreement on March 27, 2026. Members were invited to submit nominations for the AESES-UM Negotiation Committee, with a nomination deadline of July 11, 2025. Members were also encouraged to submit suggested amendments and proposals for the upcoming negotiations, with submissions accepted until July 25, 2025.