Archive for the ‘member emails’ Category
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 | Vacant
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
Staying Connected in Retirement – UM Retirees
Wednesday, April 1st, 2026
As you look forward to this exciting stage of your life, we hope that you will consider joining the University of Manitoba Retirees Association (UMRA). We are a community of University retirees that, since our establishment in 2003, have focused on enriching the lives of retirees through advocacy and community.
It was UMRA who was instrumental in reviving the retirement planning sessions offered by the university in spring and fall, by working collaboratively with the University administration and several of the unions (including AESES) to answer a need that we saw in the University Community. And more recently, the support of AESES and UMFA has been instrumental in UMRA’s negotiations with the University administration for improved retiree benefits i.e., health and dental. These are just a couple of ways that we serve our community of retirees.
Why join UMRA? Here are a few compelling reasons:
- UMRA allows you to continue your association with the University where you may have spent most of your working life.
- UMRA provides the forum for renewing acquaintances with colleagues and peers, make new friends and enjoy social activities such as the semi-annual President’s reception and other organized events.
- UMRA defends the interests of retirees in the pension and benefits plans of the University and has a representative on the U of M Staff Benefits Committee.
- UMRA has benefits the University offers only to retirees who are members of UMRA and discounted insurance rates for travel, trip cancellation, car, house, and pets available through Johnson Insurance due to UMRA’s membership in CURAC (College and University Retirees Association of Canada).
- UMRA provides an informative Newsletter twice a year.
To learn more about UMRA, please visit our website: umanitoba.ca/um-retirees-association
Information specific to UMRA’s membership and application form is included in the package of retirement information you would normally receive from the U of M Staff Benefits Office. Or you may access the same information on the UMRA Membership web page at: umanitoba.ca/um-retirees-association/membership
You can also obtain the membership application form by contacting UMRA by email at retirees@umanitoba.ca , or by phone at 204-474-7175, or by writing to us:
UMRA, c/o Learning & Organizational Development, 309 Administration Building, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me via email at retirees@umanitoba.ca
Please make joining UMRA one of your retirement plans and make the most of your retirement!
Janet Sealey
President, UMRA
Annual General Meeting – April 14
Tuesday, March 24th, 2026
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
7:00 PM
ONLINE
All signed* AESES union members are invited and encouraged to attend this year’s virtual AESES Annual General Meeting (AGM). In 2025, we had many members join us for the evening.
The AGM allows our executive team and committee chairs to review AESES financials with attendees, speak about the union’s activities, explain how our programs can benefit our membership, and preside over a question period.
Join us on April 14 to meet the people behind the decision-making process for spending your union dues and learn more about our programs and services. There will also be time for asking questions to members of the Executive Council and the Board.
* Please note that only signed AESES members can attend the AGM and vote on any issues that arise. If you are interested in attending the AGM but not yet a signed member, please visit aeses.ca/membership to fill out a membership form.
Call for Volunteers – Committees and the Board
Monday, February 2nd, 2026
Help shape the future of AESES by filling an open position in these important roles!
- Diversity Committee
- University of Manitoba, Districts 01, 04, 07, 08, 30, 32, 34, 35, and 37
- The University of Winnipeg, Districts 52 and 56
- St. Andrew’s College, District 61
Contact the AESES Business Office at 204-949-5200 or aeses@aeses.ca to learn more.
AESES Announces New President – Karen Simpson
Thursday, January 15th, 2026
At the January 13, 2026, meeting of the AESES Board of Representatives, Karen Simpson was elected by acclamation for the position of President on the Executive Council for the term ending May 2026.
Karen has worked for the University of Manitoba, Bannatyne Campus for 44 years, starting in the Computer Department and currently with the Department of Psychiatry.
Karen recently held the roles of Interim President, Executive VP and VP Bannatyne, and was previously Secretary in May 2022-2024. Karen joined the AESES Board of Representatives in 2018 and has contributed in a number of capacities over the years, including serving on the Ad Hoc COVID Assistance Fund and Education Committees.
Karen is a dedicated, loyal and hardworking individual who is committed to the betterment of our members and looks forward to working with the Executive Council, Board of Representatives and the AESES Business Office staff in her new role.
Over the coming weeks, Karen will begin to adjust to the permanent role and their duties with the AESES Business Office. Welcome, Karen!
As a result, the roles as Exec VP and VP Bannatyne were vacated. Divjyot Grewal was elected as Executive VP (and remains VP Fort Garry campus). Danielle Saj was elected as VP Bannatyne campus. We congratulate Divjyot with their additional role and welcome Danielle to the Executive Council.
Each role’s term will end at the May 2026 Board meeting, once the new Board of Representatives and Executive Council is elected.
Thank you to our members for your patience and support during this period of change. We appreciate it.
Resignation of Rob Parker, AESES President
Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025
The AESES Executive Council would like to share that Rob Parker has stepped down from his role as President and from his committee positions effective December 2, 2025. Rob has been an incredible asset to AESES, serving as President since September 2024 and contributing meaningfully in several capacities over the years, including in his work as UM Contract Administrator. His dedication, leadership, and commitment to supporting our members have had a lasting and positive impact on the organization.
Rob will be greatly missed, and we extend our sincere gratitude for his service and our very best wishes as he moves forward.
During this transition period, our Executive Vice-President, Karen Simpson, will serve as interim President. The Executive Council and AESES Business Office will continue to support members and carry out the work of the union without interruption. Further information about next steps will be shared with the membership as it becomes available.
In solidarity,
AESES Executive Council
2026 Proposed Budget
Monday, December 1st, 2025
Below is the AESES Finance Committee’s proposed budget for 2026. These estimates are subject to approval by the Board of Representatives at their meeting on December 9, 2025. AESES Proposed Budget 2026 (PDF)
President’s Message – December 2025
Monday, December 1st, 2025
Greetings, awesome AESES Members, and welcome to December – also known as “the month where we pretend we’re organized.”
The holiday season brings thoughts of family, whether near or far. And at holiday time, every family is a little loud, messy, and occasionally wonders who ate the last Quality Street (spoiler: it was absolutely someone in HR). Our union family is no different – we debate, we disagree, but when it matters most, we show up for one another. That’s what unions do. And ours does it pretty darn well.
For some of us, “home” means a packed living room full of relatives and one very confused dog. For others, it’s a phone call, a video chat, or sharing a moment across oceans and time zones. For many AESES members, it’s right here… on campus, in the office, in the classroom -standing shoulder to shoulder with coworkers who long ago stopped being “colleagues” and started being “the people who understand your workday horrors better than your actual family.”
Our membership includes folks from every background imaginable—different races, genders, languages, identities, faiths, and traditions. Some light candles. Some decorate trees. Some celebrate holidays at times the rest of us are unaware. Some celebrate by ignoring the holidays entirely and catching up on sleep (a noble and underrated custom).
We all share universal hopes – things like safety at work, dignity and respect, fair wages, and most importantly, time with the people we love and a future that is not just “surviving until Friday.”
Diversity isn’t a challenge – it’s our superpower. If the employer ever tries to divide us, they quickly discover it’s like trying to separate Tupperware lids from the containers: good luck, friend.
We’ve started or soon will start bargaining at both Universities. Together, we’re pushing for:
- Better wages, so members can enjoy the holidays without needing a spreadsheet to calculate gift affordability.
- Better benefits, so no one must choose between seeing a doctor and paying rent.
- Safer workplaces, so everyone goes home in one piece and not “creatively patched together with office supplies.”
Behind every bargaining proposal is a real person with a real family and real worries. A parent trying to say “yes” to a school trip. A worker caring for their aging parents. A member simply trying to make it through December without Windows updating at the worst possible moment (miracles do happen).
This season isn’t easy for everyone. Some members face illness, financial strain, grief, or isolation. A strong union family doesn’t forget them. We check in. We help. We make sure no one is left behind – because solidarity is more than chants and picket signs. It’s everyday acts of kindness, like sharing overtime fairly or welcoming a new co-worker instead of forcing them to find every elf on a shelf we’ve hidden in the Dean’s Office.
We don’t all experience the workplace the same way. Some members face racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, or barriers due to disability or immigration status. Ignoring those realities doesn’t make us a family – it makes us a sitcom family that pretends everything’s fine while the house is literally on fire.
Listening, making space, and standing up for one another is what makes us strong. It is so important to:
- Honour our families – however they are made. We must keep fighting for the wages, protections, and time needed to care for them.
- Celebrate our diversity – not just in words, but in action, policy, contracts, and leadership.
- Live our solidarity – by supporting members who are struggling and showing up for one another with open hearts (and maybe baked goods).
In a world that tries hard to divide working people, let’s continue proving the opposite: that people with different stories can share one purpose and one fight.
Now, to wrap things up (see what I did there?)
Thank you for everything you do.
Thank you for the strength you bring.
And thank you for making AESES not just a union, but a family— … you know, the kind you might actually want to spend time with.
Wishing you peace, joy, good eats, cool treats, and time with the people (and pets) you love.
Here’s to new victories in the year ahead – won together, as one diverse and powerful union family.
I hope you all have a very happy holiday!
In Solidarity,
Rob