Archive for the ‘News Feed’ Category
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
Call For Constitution and Bylaw Changes
Thursday, October 1st, 2026
Submit your suggestions
The AESES Constitution and Bylaws govern the manner in which AESES must conduct itself. Procedures such as the selection of the bargaining team, election of the Executive and the method by which the AESES Board of Representatives is chosen, which are all spelled out in the Constitution and Bylaws.
Members have the opportunity to propose changes to the AESES Constitution and Bylaws. Suggestions for changes are reviewed by the Board of Representatives, whose job is to then present the proposed amendments for a vote at a future Annual General Meeting (AGM). Member proposals for Constitution and Bylaw changes are published in the AGM booklet in advance of the meeting.
Please take the time to read through our current Constitution and Bylaws, available for download: aeses.ca/publications/constitution-bylaws
If you would like to see any amendments made to the Constitution and Bylaws, please submit your suggestions to us via email at aeses@aeses.ca. The deadline for submissions of proposed changes is November 10, 2026.
Safety and Health Corner – October 2026
Thursday, October 1st, 2026
AESES-Appointed Representatives on Workplace Safety and Health Committees
Most workplace safety and health committees at UM and UW have an official representative appointed by AESES. This representative serves as a formal connection between the committee and AESES.
AESES-appointed representatives receive paid time away from their regular duties to participate in workplace safety and health committee meetings, working alongside employer representatives to address workplace safety and health matters. They provide meeting minutes to AESES and bring workplace safety and health concerns to the union’s attention when appropriate. Appointments are generally for two years and may be renewed.
AESES-appointed representatives also participate on a separate AESES Safety & Health Committee, which normally meets twice a year outside of regular working hours.
Most AESES appointments are currently filled, but there are a few vacancies:
UM Local Area Safety and Health (LASH) Committees:
- Architecture
- Education, St. Paul’s, St. John’s, NCTR or CATL
- Faculty of Arts
For more information about UM LASH Committees, visit the UM Intranet.
If you are interested in becoming an AESES-appointed official representative on one of the committees listed above, contact labourteam@aeses.ca before October 16, 2026.
The AESES Safety & Health Committee looks at workplace safety and health issues from a union-wide perspective. If you have a concern you believe should be brought to the committee’s attention, contact labourteam@aeses.ca.
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.
Can You Tell Me: How Does Step Placement Work When Changing Positions?
Wednesday, August 5th, 2026
A common question members ask is how their salary step is determined when they change positions. The Collective Agreement language related to salary administration is similar for both Universities, and can be found in UW Article 24 and UM Article 26, respectively. When an employee changes position, their step placement is determined based on whether the new classification is lower, the same or similar, or higher than their previous job.
If an employee moves to a lower classification, their new step is based on the experience and qualifications they bring to the position. Their salary cannot be higher than what they were earning before and must remain within the salary range for the lower classification. This can be found in UW 24.2.1 and UM 26.2 (a).
When moving to the same or similar classification, employees will normally keep their current salary and step. The exception is when their previous experience and qualifications are not directly relevant and they require significant retraining for the new role. In those cases, Human Resources determines the appropriate step. This can be found in UW 24.2.2 and UM 26.2 (b).
Another exception is that, when changing classification families that use different salary grids, the step number itself may change. In those situations, the employee is placed at the first step that pays more than their previous salary, provided their experience and qualifications are relevant and the salary remains within the range for the new classification.
When an employee moves to a higher classification, their salary will normally increase by at least the value of two steps in their current salary scale. This can be found in UW 24.2.3 and UM 26.2 (c). For example, an employee at UW classified as an Administrative 1, Step 5 earns $31.35 per hour. Two steps higher in that salary scale is Step 7 ($34.02 per hour). Because the employee must receive at least that amount in the higher classification, they would be placed at no lower than the step that pays $34.02 per hour. Under the current salary schedule, that would be Administrative 2, Step 5.
The employee’s salary must fall within the range of the new position. In addition, the employee should not receive a salary that is less favourable than what a newly hired employee with the same qualifications would receive, which may involve a step placement above Step 1 based on experience and training directly applicable to the new role.
Members who have questions about their step placement in a new position are encouraged to contact the AESES Business Office at 204-979-5200 or LabourTeam@aeses.ca.
President’s Message – August 2026
Wednesday, August 5th, 2026
Hello AESES!
While summer is when many workers enjoy a well-earned break, everyone knows that work never rests, and June and July were no exception for the union.
In June, Winnipeg was host to the National Executive Board meeting for the Confederation of Canadian Unions (CCU). The event was held at the Fort Garry Hotel, and several AESES members volunteered their weekend to attend Labour School on Saturday and participate in CCU meetings on Sunday. The Labour School offered an in-depth look at key labour issues, with notable presentations from Adam King and Niigaan Sinclair, both University of Manitoba professors. The sessions focused on the many benefits and societal changes unions have delivered to workers and society over time. While these contributions are well documented, they are increasingly being challenged by divisive rhetoric. This narrative is being amplified by increasingly polarized political voices, often backed by interests that benefit from lower wages and a less skilled workforce. We need to work to counter that message and ensure that the hard-fought benefits from the previous century are not forgotten. Union workers may take for granted benefits such as health coverage, a regular work week, paid vacation, the right to disconnect, workplace safety laws, and maternity and family leave, to name just a few. We should never forget that these were hard-won gains achieved through the efforts of previous generations, and we must continue to protect and strengthen them.
AESES hosted a meeting at our Business Office with the Manitoba Minister of Finance, the Honourable Adrian Sala. The meeting with the Minister was initiated by the provincial government to discuss public sector bargaining in Manitoba. Minister Sala talked of their intent to catch up and keep up with increases for the public sector, while we noted that over several contracts our increases have not kept pace with inflation. I intend to keep this line of communication open and will follow up with Minister Sala’s office once the University of Manitoba’s bargaining is complete.
For our members at The University of Winnipeg, the official AESES-UW Collective Agreement – 2025-2028 has been posted to the AESES website.
At the UM, bargaining has been an intense process. All non-monetary issues have been discussed, with several now resolved or closed. Additional meetings have been booked for this month and into the fall, when we intend to discuss the monetary priorities identified by our members. Updates can be found on the AESES website here: aeses.ca/aeses-um-bargaining-2026
Relatedly, I’d like to welcome Robert Dvorski to the UM Contract Administrator role and to thank him for representing the UM membership.
The new Executive Council held a retreat in July to discuss the operation of AESES for the 2026 – 2028 term. A key theme was strengthening Board engagement and encouraging greater feedback from the rest of our members. AESES continues to have unrepresented districts, so if you know someone who would be interested in representing a district, please let us know! We encourage members to connect with their district representatives and share the issues that matter most to them. The strength of any union comes from an active membership and the voice that they share.
In lighter news, members took advantage of AESES discounts at several local sporting events over the past two months, including the Winnipeg Goldeyes hosting the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks on June 28 and the Winnipeg Sea Bears hosting the Calgary Surge on July 12. At the time of writing, AESES still has tickets available for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as they host the Ottawa Redblacks on August 14. More information can be found at the end of the newsletter. Go Blue!
In closing, as summer goes by, I hope everyone is able to enjoy the weather and some vacation time!
In Solidarity,
Will Christie
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