Archive for the ‘insideAESES’ Category
AESES Children’s Winter Holiday Extravaganza
Sunday, December 10th, 2023
On Sunday, December 1, over 250 children and their families attended the Children’s Winter Holiday Extravaganza to enjoy the sights and sounds of the holidays at UMSU University Centre on the UM Fort Garry Campus.
Everyone enjoyed a fun afternoon of food, gifts, temporary tattoos, cookie painting, clowns, and main stage entertainment by Brian Glow, International Illusionist and Comedy Magician. Santa and Mrs. Claus also stopped for a visit and photos.
Thank you to the AESES Activities Committee and all the dedicated volunteers who made the event possible again this year! Also, thanks to Blair Zelinsky and Colleen Thompson for the use of their photos.
Can You Tell Me? Can Work Hours Be Modified?
Sunday, December 10th, 2023
Modified Work Hours
The concept of a 4-day workweek or having every second Monday off is an appealing idea for many. From time to time, an AESES employee may need or want to adjust their hours of work temporarily or permanently. There is language in the AESES Collective Agreements that allows members to request a modified work schedule.
Members at both UM and UW can request a modified work schedule. It is important to note that while the language in both the AESES-UM and AESES-UW Collective Agreements allows employees to make such a request, approval is not guaranteed. The employer must consider the feasibility of the request by examining particulars such as the type of work the employee does, the Department’s hours of operation, staffing levels and current workloads. If the request is approved on a temporary or permanent basis, it is also important to note that the employer can still amend or cancel the arrangement if they deem it necessary.
As covered in Article 11.2 of the AESES-UW Collective Agreement, UW members can submit a request for a modified work week in writing to their supervisor. When making the request, you should be aware that a modified work week may include but is not limited to, flextime, banked time, or a compressed work week. The employer will consider the request and provide a written response in a reasonable period. If approval is granted by the Employer for a modified work week, the terms and conditions of the modified work week are confirmed in a Letter of Understanding (LOU).
The process is similar for UM members, as outlined in Articles 11.1 and 12.8 of the AESES-UM Collective Agreement. When a recurring exchange of work for time off exceeds one pay period, it is considered a modified work schedule. UM members can submit a request for a modified work schedule to their supervisor. If granted after due consideration by the employer, the terms and conditions of the modified work schedule shall be confirmed by a LOU signed by the Department, Human Resources, the employee(s), and the Association.
If you need assistance with a modified work schedule request, contact us at LabourTeam@aeses.ca.
For info on short-term or one-time schedule change requests, referred to as the Banking of Regular Time, see the Can You Tell Me article in the August 2024 insideAESES newsletter.
2025 Proposed Budget
Sunday, December 10th, 2023
Below is the AESES Finance Committee’s proposed budget for 2025. These estimates are subject to approval by the Board of Representatives at their meeting on December 10, 2024.
| PROPOSED BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR YEAR 2025 | |||
| YTD | BUDGET | ESTIMATES | |
| as of Sept. 30 | 2024 | 2025 | |
| INCOME: | |||
| Dues – U of Manitoba | $1,031,699.03 | $1,338,642 | $1,428,903 |
| Dues – U of Winnipeg | $198,722.13 | $238,945 | $261,320 |
| Dues – St. Andrew’s College | $1,095.01 | $1,441 | $1,528 |
| TOTAL INCOME | $1,231,516.17 | $1,579,028 | $1,691,751 |
| EXPENSES: | |||
| MEMBERS’ SERVICES | |||
| Activities | $36,223.32 | $49,800 | $54,800 |
| Diversity | $- | $2,500 | $2,500 |
| Health & Safety | $- | $- | $2,500 |
| Public relations | $10,882.00 | $23,725 | $20,925 |
| Remuneration | $19,370.75 | $24,240 | $41,675 |
| CCU Affiliation | $52,987.70 | $65,862 | $78,279 |
| Members’ education | $14,346.67 | $33,000 | $30,000 |
| Printing | $- | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Meeting expenses | $4,073.55 | $3,700 | $14,550 |
| Professional fees | $58,115.88 | $210,500 | $195,500 |
| Special projects | $3,412.50 | $- | $5,500 |
| $199,412.37 | $414,327 | $448,229 | |
| PERSONNEL | |||
| President – salary & benefits | $57,905.68 | $82,835 | $96,269 |
| Staff – salaries & benefits/education | $565,223.83 | $769,077 | $807,749 |
| $623,129.51 | $851,912 | $904,018 | |
| OFFICE OPERATING | |||
| Equipment services | $1,691.98 | $2,750 | $3,050 |
| Office expenses | $11,040.63 | $17,550 | $17,750 |
| Premises | $80,014.53 | $110,000 | $109,000 |
| Professional fees | $22,648.54 | $23,900 | $27,000 |
| Communications | $7,504.98 | $12,500 | $11,000 |
| $122,900.66 | $166,700 | $167,800 | |
| TOTAL EXPENSES | $945,442.54 | $1,432,940 | $1,520,047 |
| OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) FOR PERIOD | $286,073.63 | $146,088 | $171,704 |
| ADDITIONS TO FURNITURE & COMPUTERS | $7,985.77 | $10,000 | $4,000 |
| NET INCOME (LOSS) FOR PERIOD | $278,087.86 | $136,088 | $167,704 |
President’s Message – December 2024
Sunday, December 10th, 2023
Season’s greetings and happy holidays AESES folk!
As the old Andy Williams song proclaims, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” For many of us, this is true. It’s a time to reconnect with family and friends, to reflect on the year gone by, and to look forward with anticipation to the year ahead. This is a time to remember what is important to us in life. Family. Friends. Faith. Some of us will have different definitions of what these words mean to us, but in many ways, despite these differences, the fact that we all share in cherishing these values makes us more alike than most would think.
Things have been quite busy here at the AESES office, as well. In addition to the excellent advocacy and representative work the staff do, AESES held its annual children’s holiday party on December 1, this year renamed the Children’s Winter Holiday Extravaganza! With over 250 children and their families, it was a packed house with smiles all around. Brian Glow, International Illusionist and Comedy Magician entertained the crowd with mind-numbing illusions and amazing tricks with audience participation. And of course, Santa also stopped by for a visit. A huge thank you to the members of the Activities Committee and to those who volunteered and helped make the day possible!
Our Labour Team has also been busy with The University of Winnipeg Negotiations Committee, meeting regularly in preparation for the imminent bargaining. Stay tuned for more updates as they become available.
With the winter break fast approaching, I sincerely hope that everyone enjoys this very well-deserved break and all that comes with it, be it travelling home, visiting with family and friends, or just sleeping in to rest and recharge. But let’s not forget those who are less fortunate than us. The holidays can be a trying time for many, with some feeling lonely, stressed, and anxious.
If you find the holidays a rough time for any reason, please know that there are resources available to members and their families to help with the feelings of anxiety, stress, and isolation. You can find a list of wellness resources on our website and please don’t be afraid to access them.
To all, from all of us here at AESES,
please have a very safe and happy holiday season!
Respectfully and In Solidarity,
Rob
P.S. Hardly an afterthought, but we at AESES would all like to acknowledge the profound contribution Executive Director Lisa McKendry has made to AESES in her 20 years of employment with the organization and wish her much luck, love, and happiness in her well-earned retirement. Thank You, Lisa!
Extra, Extra: insideAESES Newsletter (December 2023)
Tuesday, December 5th, 2023
Welcome to December! Yes, that’s correct, December. While it doesn’t look like December with the lack of snow, it does signify the last insideAESES issue of the year.
Before you continue your holiday shopping/baking/celebrating grab an egg-nog-filled Moose Mug and take a few moments to read about:
- A message from AESES president Chris McCann
- Invitation to the AESES Holiday Open House – December 15, 3:00 – 6:00 pm
- Photos from the Children’s Christmas Party
- The Rogers Sugar Strike
- The final 50 for 50 Contest Winners
- New AESES appointments
- 2024 AESES Draft Budget
- Family Care Resources and more
View the December issue and previous ones here.
Happy holidays, and see you at our Open House on December 15th!
AESES Children’s Christmas Party
Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023
It’s almost that time of year! The AESES Activities Committee is excited to announce the annual Children’s Christmas party.
Sunday, December 3, 2023
1:00 – 4:00 pm
University of Manitoba, Fort Garry Campus
MPR, 220-224 UMSU University Centre
The registration deadline was October 30, 2023. No late registrations or walk-ups at the door will be accepted.
Extra, Extra: insideAESES Newsletter (October 2023)
Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023
Welcome to October! The leaves on the trees seem to be changing colours and dropping to the ground, just like the newest issues of insideAESES that just dropped.
Before you start raking the leaves (or wait a little longer for them to blow away), grab a pumpkin-spiced beverage and take a few moments to read about:
- A message from AESES president Chris McCann
- Registration opens for the Children’s Christmas Party
- How workplace safety incidents are handled
- The final 50 for 50 Contest for October
- New AESES appointments
- Save the dates for our upcoming Fall Education Seminars
President’s Message – October 2024
Sunday, October 1st, 2023
Greetings my fellow AESES members! Rob Parker here, your newly minted AESES President. It is both my honour and privilege to be serving you in this role for the current Board term.
I am keenly aware of the large shoes I have to fill, as our late president, leader, and friend Chris McCann’s influence and impact were far-reaching. Rest assured; I will do my very best not to let you down. Chris’ passing has affected us all in AESES quite profoundly, and grief can be a very lonely and isolating process. His memorial service was quite cathartic though, as it was so well attended that it became obvious that no one there was alone in their grief and sadness. We were all there for each other. This is precisely how Chris, and certainly I, feel about AESES.
We’re in this together. We are here for you. You are not alone.
With the arrival of fall comes a new term and a renewed energy on our campuses. This is no less the case with AESES, as we look for ways to connect with you. We have several Brown Bag Lunches planned over the coming months, as well as a recent New Members’ Meeting on October 2nd.
There is also no shortage of social and educational activities coming up. Everything from our Education Seminars (some which are already sold out and new ones have just opened!) to our legendary (and renamed), AESES 2024 Children’s Winter Holiday Extravaganza are on tap for the fall term. More exciting announcements and activities are to come. Please watch for communications and follow us on social media for further updates.
Of course, our primary mission is to ensure that your interests, concerns, and priorities are well-represented and protected as we navigate the peaks and valleys that come with being employed in post-secondary education. We all experience challenges and invariably have questions regarding what rights and protections we are afforded in the workplace. We also want to be sure that our best interests are represented when it’s time to bargain for a better, more equitable deal for us all. Always remember: We’re in this together. We are here for you. You are not alone.
I sincerely look forward to meeting and working with many of you over the coming months. Please feel free to reach out to me, your board rep, or anyone at the AESES Business Office should you have any questions or concerns, or should you need advice regarding workplace issues.
In solidarity
Rob
Contract Admin
Sunday, October 1st, 2023
February 2025
Here are the cases that our members are currently facing with each employer as of February 1, 2025.
University of Manitoba
- The member grievance filed on behalf of a member alleging that the University failed to reasonably accommodate the member in a return to work following extended medical leave was settled prior to Arbitration.
- A new member grievance was filed on behalf of a member who received a 1-day suspension for allegedly poor performance.
- A new member grievance was filed on behalf of a member alleging the University failed to reasonably accommodate the member’s return to work following a medical leave.
The University of Winnipeg
- None
October 2024
Here are the cases that our members are currently facing with each employer as of October 1, 2024.
University of Manitoba
- The grievance filed on behalf of a member whose family status issue was not adequately accommodated by the University has been referred to arbitration.
- The member grievance filed on behalf of a member who received a 2-day suspension for allegedly failing to provide an adequate level of service based on their training was denied at the First Stage and has been referred to Second Stage.
The University of Winnipeg
- None
AESES Appointments
Sunday, October 1st, 2023
Here are the new appointments since February 3, 2025.
Andrea Castro (UM) was appointed to the Safety & Health Committee.
Here are the new appointments since December 6, 2024.
The following members have been appointed to the Board of Representatives: Zach Henderson (UM) District 4, Sarah Slagerman (UM) District 32, and Natasha Taiarol (UW) District 51.
Here are the new appointments since August 1, 2024.
The following members have been appointed to the Board of Representatives: Jade Tanner (UM) District 3, Kamal Dhir (UM) District 4, and Dave Nicholls (UM) District 8. New committee additions: Charlene Hawryluk (UM) and Shivani Bhukhureea (UW) to the Finance Committee and William Toms, William Fischer, Samuel Ariyibi, Kristine Ballantine, Carla Kirkpatrick, Finley Makila, Christina Phillips to their respective LASH Committees (UM) and to the Safety and Health Committee (UM).