Archive for the ‘member emails’ Category
AESES Fall Education Seminars – Register Today!
Tuesday, October 6th, 2026
Fall Education Seminars
The AESES Education Committee would like to offer members seven seminars to help you retreat into fall.
Registration is open.
Frauds, Scams, and Active Shooter Workplace Safety | Thu., Oct. 22 | 6:30 – 8:30 pmSucculent Planter Workshop | Sat., Nov. 7 | 1:30 -3:00 pmFULL- Learn to Play Pickleball | Thu., Nov. 12 | 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Paint Night | Fri., Nov. 20 | 6:00 pm – 7:30 pmFULLAromatherapy at The Leaf | Wed., Nov. 25 | 6:00 – 7:30 pmFULL- Labour Relations – Workplace Investigations (Virtual) | Mon., Nov. 30 | 6:00 – 8:00 pm
To A Tea at The Leaf | Thu., Dec. 10 | 6:00 – 7:30 pmFULL
President’s Message – October 2026
Thursday, October 1st, 2026
Hello, AESES!
As the foliage shifts from green to yellow and orange we know that autumn has truly arrived in Manitoba. While students settle into their schedules, they will bid farewell to the constellations of the summer triangle as they greet the great square of Pegasus rising over the prairie harvest.
For AESES members, fall brings a new slate of events from both the Activities Committee and the Education Committee. The Education Committee is offering new seminars this Fall, so please look out for that announcement in this month’s insideAESES for the details. The Activities Committee is deeply involved planning this year’s AESES Children’s Winter Holiday Extravaganza for Sunday, November 29. If you are planning to attend, please register before the October 27 deadline so we can plan accordingly.
The University of Manitoba will be hosting the ASE Career Fair on Tuesday, October 6 in the MPR in UMSU University Centre. This is a wonderful opportunity to display one of Manitoba’s post-secondary cornerstones that AESES members support and encourage another generation of students to further their education. Likewise, The University of Winnipeg will be hosting their career fair on January 26, 2027. I will be reminding everyone of that opportunity in December’s insideAESES.
October brings fall convocations at both institutions involving many AESES members in the preparations for and during the ceremonies. The University of Winnipeg will host their Convocation and PACE Graduation Celebrations on October 15. The University of Manitoba will host Convocation Celebrations at the Fort Garry campus on October 20-22.
The UM Bargaining Team has also been hard at work these past few months, caucusing and meeting several times with the employer for subcommittee meetings. As we resolve non-monetary issues, we will soon begin to discuss a financial package with cost-of-living increases, which is primarily on the minds of our membership. Needless to say, we will remind the University of Manitoba of our provincial government’s discussions of catching up and keeping up. Public updates are posted at aeses.ca/aeses-um-bargaining-2026 when available.
Finally, I hope everyone was able to take time on Wednesday, September 30 to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. Our Land Acknowledgements are only a small part of the recognition of the role of Indigenous peoples in building the nation we enjoy today. The legacy of residential schools is a nadir in Canada’s history and something to sombrely reflect upon to ensure that it never occurs again. As union members, we value protection against unfair treatment and discrimination. It is especially important for us to support those same values and work toward rebuilding our relationship with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nation communities. At the University of Manitoba, that spirit of healing is demonstrated with the newly renamed L’offis Wiichihihwahk (formerly the Office of the Vice-President (Indigenous)). L’offis Wiichihihwahk is a Michif name meaning “the office that helps” and was gifted to them by UM Elder Charlotte Nolin. At The University of Winnipeg, the Wii Chiiwaakanak Learning Centre is their bridge to reconciliation and offers educational and cultural programming rooted in Indigenous knowledge to the community. Wii Chiiwaakanak is Ojibwe for “walking together.” Both offices offer Indigenous resources, stories, and education.
In Solidarity,
Will Christie
Can You Tell Me: What is a Letter of Expectation?
Thursday, October 1st, 2026
AESES members may sometimes be issued a Letter of Expectation, taking the form of a coaching letter, a list of areas for improvement, or a similar type of instructive document. Letters of Expectation are generally intended to clarify management guidelines about matters such as attendance, communication and conduct, job performance, or workplace procedures. These are areas where the Employer has the right to determine expectations and set standards, which are outlined in both the UW and UM Collective Agreements under Article 4 “Employer’s Rights.”
The important thing to know about Letters of Expectation is that, although they can seem formal, they are intended to be non-disciplinary. The Employer issues formal discipline for alleged culpable activity or misconduct, and the discipline process is covered in Article 9 in both the UW and UM Collective Agreements. Letters of Expectation, on the other hand, do not normally indicate that the employee has done anything seriously wrong or that any immediate action will be taken against them. They are normally issued well in advance of any areas of concern crossing the line into formal discipline.
Letters of Expectation are usually placed in the employee’s file. Unlike formal disciplinary documents such as an Oral Warning issued under Article 9, Letters of Expectation do not always have a timeline for removal from the employee’s file. They may be referred to or reviewed with the employee at a future date and, if the concerns outlined in the letter continue, may be considered as part of a future disciplinary process. For these reasons, it is a good idea to carefully read the letter and understand the expectations being communicated, as well as keep a copy for your own records.
Employees can have a different perspective on workplace expectations than their supervisor and may disagree with the document’s contents. If you are issued a Letter of Expectation or similar document, it is good practice to listen before responding and to remain professional. If you disagree with any of the issues or concerns in the Letter of Expectations, they do not have to be resolved immediately. Take time to consider the feedback, clarify the expectations with your supervisor, and consider providing your perspective afterwards. If you are unsure about the document or feel that something isn’t right, contact AESES for advice before responding.
Letters of Expectation are not specifically outlined by our Collective Agreements at the UM or UW. They are generally intended to be constructive and focused on minor course corrections, improvement, and coaching, and often do not require any immediate action from AESES. However, if a letter contains inaccurate information, sets unreasonable expectations, or raises concerns about whether it is being used appropriately, the AESES Labour Team can provide guidance. Please reach out to us at LabourTeam@aeses.ca or 204-949-5200.
Bursary Opportunities – Deadline October 2026
Thursday, September 3rd, 2026
October is fast approaching, and it is also the deadline for the AESES Bursary. To ensure your dependent child is included in the selection process, please apply before the deadline.
AESES Bursary – Open for 2026
Dependent children (who are under 25 years of age prior to enrollment in the current academic year) of signed AESES members studying at either The University of Winnipeg (UW) or the University of Manitoba (UM) may be eligible to apply for one of our $1,000 bursaries. The deadline for both UW and UM is October 1, 2026.
Details for UW Students
Three $1,000 bursaries are available at UW. More information is available here: UW’s Office of Awards and Financial Aid. Apply here: uwinnipeg.ca/awards/apply-for-awards
Details for UM Students
Seven $1,000 bursaries are available at UM. More information and to apply is available here: UM’s Financial Aid and Awards Office. The application form is available here: umanitoba.ca/financial-aid-and-awards/bursaries under “Bursaries requiring application”
CCU/CSC John St-Amand Bursary and Madeleine Parent Bursary – Open for 2026
The Confederation of Canadian Unions provides annual bursaries of $1,000 for dependent children of members of unions belonging to the CCU/CSC for the purpose of furthering their post-secondary education.
Visit the John St-Amand / Madeleine Parent Bursary page for more information and to apply. The deadline is October 20, 2026.
Manitoba Unions Indigenous Bursary in Labour Studies – Closed for 2026
The bursary has a value of $5,000 and will be offered for the first time in 2024-2025 to an Indigenous undergraduate student in the Labour Studies department at the University of Manitoba.
Visit the Manitoba Federation of Labour page for more information and to apply. The deadline was June 1, 2026.
President’s Message – June 2026
Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026
Hello AESES!
On May 12 it was with both humility and pride that I was elected to be your new President. The previous term was unlike anything the union has experienced before, following the sudden death of past-President Chris McCann. I personally want to thank both past-President Karen Simpson and past-President Rob Parker for holding this office following that tragic loss, and to everyone for keeping the union running and serving our members through those challenging times.
This term, it’s exciting to see that our Board has a great blend of old and new representatives eager to serve their districts. On our Executive we also have veterans alongside fresh faces, and with our exemplary AESES Business Office Officers and Staff, I know that the union has a recipe for success for this upcoming term.
It has been a very busy time since the last President’s Message in April. The AESES Annual General Meeting was held on Tuesday, April 14. While everyone can appreciate brief meetings, we heard your feedback that it was, perhaps, too brief, and we will look at addressing that for next year.
Also in April, we held the AESES Volunteer Appreciation Banquet on Friday, April 24. An enjoyable meal was served at the Norwood Hotel, and a dedicated group of volunteers enjoyed the dance floor with the live band well into the night.
Signed members attended AESES Members’ Day Lunches in May at The University of Winnipeg (UW), and the University of Manitoba (UM) Bannatyne and Fort Garry campuses. This year saw the greatest number of registrants, and I know that several members complimented the lunch at the Fort Garry campus.
Also in May, the AESES Education Committee held six Spring Education Seminars, with topics in Birding, Bike Maintenance, Enneagram, Hatchet Throwing, Samosa and Chai Cooking, and a Labour Relations presentation on Investigation Meetings. These seminars are always fun and practical, with the next set happening in the fall.
On the bargaining front, UW has chosen their new contract administrator, and I’d like to welcome Dan Bailey to the role and thank him for representing the UW membership.
Finally, the UM Negotiating Committee selected the UM Bargaining Team, who held their UM Member meeting on Monday, April 13. During this meeting, we outlined that we were again going to use the Interest Based Negotiating style with the employer. This method involves both sides discussing their proposals, their interests, and workable solutions collaboratively. We also presented the final list of proposals from the membership and the AESES Officers, which resulted in a good discussion with attendees. As of the time of writing, the UM Bargaining Team has met with the employer’s representatives nine times, and all non-Monetary items have been discussed. Additional meetings are scheduled into June and you can check updates here: aeses.ca/aeses-um-bargaining-2026.
Finally, as we head into summer, I hope that everyone takes the time to rest, recharge, and reinvigorate themselves with their loved ones and family!
In Solidarity,
Will Christie
AESES Volunteers’ Appreciation Banquet 2026
Monday, June 1st, 2026
Annually, AESES acknowledges, thanks, and celebrates its Board of Representatives and longstanding volunteers. This year’s event took place at the Norwood Hotel at the end of April. Karen Simpson, AESES President, presented the following pins and awards after supper:
Bronze Pin – 5 Years of Service
- Katy Hunt
- Teddy Zegeye-Gebrehiwot
Silver Pin – 10 Years of Service
- Judy Archibald
- Lara Coombs-Sokalski
- Robert Dvorski
- Jillian Golby Borsa
- Daniel Gwozdz
- Leanne Shumka
- David Waller
Dedicated Service Award
The Dedicated Service Award was awarded to Mary Kuzmeniuk. Mary’s consistent dedication to AESES was recognized with this award. Mary was unable to attend.
Honourary Life Member Award
An Honourary Life Membership is the ultimate recognition by AESES and, therefore, should be considered as being somewhat restrictive. Honourary Life Membership will be granted only to those who have contributed outstanding or meritorious service to the Association over a substantial period of time. This year, Joan Duesterdiek was recognized with an Honourary Life Member award at the banquet. Gloria Saindon was also in attendance to be presented with her Honourary Life Member award that she was awarded last year but could not attend in 2025.
After the presentations and speeches, the night ended with a live band and dancing.
A huge thank you to all our volunteers who provide their time and expertise to help the organization and the members. Volunteers are the lifeblood of AESES and essential to continued success and support for members.
If you are reading this and would like to volunteer, visit these respective pages: Board of Representatives or Committees, or email aeses@aeses.ca.
2026 Members’ Day Lunch
Monday, June 1st, 2026
Thank you to the 585 members who attended our Members’ Day Lunches at the UW, UM Bannatyne, and UM Fort Garry campus. It was amazing to see everyone and enjoy lunch!
This year, altogether, $292.05 in monetary contributions and two full bins of non-perishable food was collected for the two campus food banks. Thank you!
25-Years of Service
Members who have 25 years of service were recognized at the lunch. Congratulations!
The University of Winnipeg
- Kevin Doyle
- Jennifer Gibson
University of Manitoba – Bannatyne Campus
- Matthew Dahl
- Kevin Janzen
- Myke Kurnell
University of Manitoba – Fort Garry Campus
- Epifania Austria
- Suzanne Beaudet
- Linda Carnegie
- Wayne Chan
- Gerard Gagnon
- Pam Gauthier
- Denise Gill
- Thomas Holovach
- Jarod Innis
- Colleen Loewen
- Brian McLean
- William Moore
- Montana Quiring
- Jennifer St Laurent
- Jared Whiklo
- Lynda Whitlam
- Lesley Wiebe
- Andre Worms
AESES Announces New Executive Council for 2026-2028
Wednesday, May 13th, 2026
Last night at the May 2026 AESES Board of Representatives meeting, Will Christie was elected by acclamation as President for the 2026–2028 term. Congratulations, Will! We thank outgoing President Karen Simpson for her guidance and professionalism over the past six months, and we wish her all the best on her upcoming retirement from UM later this year.
Divjyot Grewal was re-elected as Executive Vice-President and Vice-President (Fort Garry), and four positions were elected by acclamation:
- Vice-President (Bannatyne) – Danielle Saj
- Vice-President (UW) – Tessa Pearen
- Secretary – Alex McGregor
- Treasurer – Charlene Hawryluk
We are thrilled to welcome Alex as a new member of the Executive Council in his role as Secretary and are equally pleased to see Charlene step into the Treasurer role vacated by Will. Congratulations to all members who have committed to this two-year term. The AESES Business Office looks forward to working with the Executive Council to advance services and supports for all members.
AESES 2026–2028 Executive Council
- President | Will Christie, IST – Computer/Network Services (UM)
- Executive Vice-President | Divjyot Grewal, Career Services (UM)
- Vice-President (Fort Garry) | Divjyot Grewal, Career Services (UM)
- Vice-President (Bannatyne) | Danielle Saj, Manitoba Centre for Health Policy (UM)
- Vice-President (UW) | Tessa Pearen, Student Services (UW)
- Secretary | Alex McGregor, Arts – Dean’s Office (UM)
- Treasurer | Charlene Hawryluk, Animal Science (UM)
- UM Contract Administrator | Will Christie, IST – Computer/Network Services (UM)
- UW Contract Administrator | Dan Bailey, Awards and Financial Aid (UW)
Join Us for Our Members’ Day Lunch
Tuesday, April 14th, 2026
Join us for a “Tex Mex” inspired lunch with pulled pork on a bun along with all the fixin’s, dessert, and a beverage. There are vegetarian, halal and other dietary restriction options available, please include this on your registration.
Please support your campus Student Food Bank by bringing and donating a non-perishable food item or contributing a monetary donation. In appreciation, your name will be entered into a draw to win a prize!
The University of Winnipeg
- May 5, 12:00 – 1:00 pm and 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Riddell Hall
The deadline to register was April 28, 2026
University of Manitoba – Bannatyne Campus
- May 11, 12:00 – 1:00 pm and 1:00 – 2:00 pm
J. Hildes and J. Doupe Concourses
2nd Floor Basic Medical Sciences Building
The deadline to register was May 4, 2026
University of Manitoba – Fort Garry Campus
- May 20, 12:00 – 1:00 pm and 1:00 – 2:00 pm
MPR, UMSU University Centre
The deadline to register was May 8, 2026
Register here!
President’s Message – April 2026
Wednesday, April 1st, 2026
As I prepare my second and final message for insideAESES, I’ve been thinking about the whirlwind of the last few months. When the AESES Board of Representatives voted me in this past January to complete the current term ending in May, I knew it would be a busy stretch. It has certainly lived up to that, bringing its share of concerns and challenges, but also plenty of laughter and camaraderie along the way.
I want to share that I will not be seeking re-election for the Presidency or any other positions on the AESES Executive Council this May. While my time in this new role was short, I will truly miss working so closely with our members, the Board, and the AESES Business Office staff.
Bargaining Updates Success is a team effort! In February, The University of Winnipeg support staff voted to approve their new contract. A huge thank you goes out to the UW Bargaining Team and the AESES Business Office staff for the tireless work to reach this agreement. Congratulations to everyone involved!
Meanwhile, the University of Manitoba Bargaining Team is moving forward with proposals vetted by the Negotiations Committee. While I am writing this in March, by the time this reaches you in April, a membership meeting will have been scheduled to approve the final list of proposals for the UM. Please attend the meeting if you can.
Committee Highlights and Upcoming Events A big thank you to the Activities Committee for hosting such a successful Cosmic Glow Bowling in March and it was wonderful to see our members connecting. Looking ahead, the Education Committee is hard at work finalizing the Spring Education Seminars, and the dates for our Members’ Day Lunches have been set. Lunch details will follow, but please plan to join us on campus:
- The University of Winnipeg: May 5
- University of Manitoba – Bannatyne Campus: May 11
- University of Manitoba – Fort Garry Campus: May 20
Annual General Meeting (AGM) I encourage you to attend our Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, April 14. The AGM will be held virtually, and an email was sent out last week with notice about the availability of the AGM report and registration details. This is the best opportunity for our members to hear financial reports, review updates from our standing committees, and ask important questions about the direction of AESES.
Please keep an eye on your email or our website for more information about all these upcoming events. Thank you for your ongoing support.
In Solidarity,
Karen