Association of Employees
Supporting Education Services

Message #11 to Our Members Re. COVID-19

Friday, May 22nd, 2020

For this week’s update message to our members we are sharing, once again, that we have no new updates from either University with respect to staffing. Our understanding is that the Universities are still awaiting their letters from the Provincial Government detailing the operating grant reductions.

While the Universities can’t be faulted for the Government’s delay, it is nonetheless disappointing that information is not forthcoming that would ease the rising concerns AESES members are feeling from facing the unknown. This is particularly heightened given that the UM has proceeded with temporary layoffs for over 110 AESES positions thus far.

At AESES, we’ve been reflecting more on the last notices that President Barnard at the UM and President Trimbee at the UW sent to their employees. While both advised employees of the announced reductions to the operating grants, the UW went on to say that “To avoid further layoffs, our focus is on non-salary reductions.” While this doesn’t guarantee that at the UW we won’t see any temporary layoffs, it doesn’t appear to be a main consideration at this time.

In a disappointing contrast, the UM indicated that in order to address the additional pressures placed on their budget, “Some of the tools we are considering include:

• reducing discretionary spending,
• hiring deferrals,
• voluntary workweek reductions and
• layoffs.

This is from a University that saw $127 million in net revenue from operating activities for the 2018-2019 fiscal year (source: University of Manitoba Annual Financial Report 2019). The $17.3 million shortfall in the Provincial operating grant can easily be absorbed by this or by the substantial reserves that exist at the end of each operating year over the past 10 years. Hundreds of millions of dollars are held in reserves currently for capital investment or internally restricted uses. Although renewal is important, it is shocking that more value has been placed on bricks and mortar than hard-working staff delivering high quality programs.

In the current environment of online learning, we are clearly seeing that the University is formed by the students and staff, not the physical spaces that the leaders believe is more critical. Perhaps investing in the people who allowed the University to continue delivering the services to students during a pandemic might supersede the construction of new buildings or major improvements to the physical infrastructure of the University. This is about choices. Failure to support staffing will only result in a drop in standards and will tarnish the desired image of the institution as it loses credibility for years to come.

We should also point out that at the UM, those employed in AESES positions are the primary target for temporary layoffs and our union group is bearing the bulk of the burden of salary savings for the University. By our estimation, the University will have saved approximately $1.9 million after 16 weeks of temporary layoffs, and this does not include any benefits or pension contribution savings that will be realized. Furthermore, no return to work dates have been provided to laid off members which means that these layoffs may be for greater periods of time than originally contemplated. This uncertainty is incredibly stressful and is hardly fair treatment of AESES members at a time when the overall message we are hearing locally and nationally is “we’re in this together.”

As a reminder to all members still working, in particular those working from home, the vast majority of you are paid to work a 6.5 hour day. You are still entitled to your two paid 15-minute breaks each day and a one (1) hour unpaid lunch break even while working remotely. We implore all of you to maintain your regular work hours and not to work beyond that unless you are being properly compensated. An additional concern that has come to our attention is reports from members that they are being asked to split their shift to suit the interests of the unit or department on any given day. A workday should remain intact whether at home or on campus. Anyone who is having difficulties with unrealistic work expectations and directives should contact the AESES Office at aeses@aeses.ca or 204-949-5200. Work-life balance is even more important since, for most of us, both are happening in our homes.

Finally, we have received a number of calls and emails about the recent announcement that the Provincial Government is looking at imposing 5 days off without pay to public-sector employees. According to the article we’ve seen on this (from CBC Manitoba), this will affect approximately 6,250 civil servants within core government departments. While there is the ability to voluntarily take days off without pay at each University, it is unlikely that this specific measure by the Province will include AESES members at either University.

Message #10 to Our Members Re. COVID-19

Wednesday, May 13th, 2020

As the waiting continues for our members to hear what possible actions the Universities may take with regard to potential staffing cuts, the Provincial Government has now decided that there is no hurry to issue formal instructions to both Universities, after forcing them to provide their salary savings scenarios in an unreasonably short time frame. This continues to provide further evidence of this Government’s lack of respect for unionized public-sector workers and is an attack on these fairly paid, high-quality workers. This behaviour is irresponsible during normal times and under the current circumstances undermines the contribution our members make to the thousands of students who benefit from the valuable work you deliver daily. Your compensation is not a line on a balance sheet, it is an investment in the next generation of leaders in our province.

Despite the delays, the response from the University of Winnipeg has been reasonable and over several conversations has provided as much guidance as can be practically expected under these difficult circumstances. Conversely, communication has been disappointing from the University of Manitoba as their response to the Province was sent over three weeks ago and, to date, no substantial details have been shared with AESES.

As we reported earlier, AESES conferred with our legal counsel with respect to the temporary layoffs that are taking place at the University of Manitoba. We disagree with the University’s interpretation of the Collective Agreement with respect to how these layoffs are being implemented. As a result, we have filed an Association Grievance challenging the University’s actions. This is at the first stage of the grievance process and we will report further as this matter proceeds.

During all of this, our members have continued to provide excellent service to the Universities to ensure that operations continue to run as smoothly as possible. They are working from their homes primarily, and in many cases are required to also juggle child care, home schooling and, for some, supporting family members that have had their work reduced or eliminated as a result of these challenging times.

It has come to our attention that a number of members feel they are expected to constantly monitor their emails and phone messages beyond the normal hours for their work day. We have also heard of occasions where communications, including text messages, are being sent after hours or on weekends by supervisors and managers. While excluded managers may be subject to different work expectations and may feel that the clock is never turned off, AESES members are not part of this 24/7 work regime. This belief needs to stop as it has the very real potential of leading to unhealthy outcomes for too many of our members. The stress being felt by many from all of the changes that are taking place at work, at home and in society is already evident in the substantial number of communications AESES has received from our members who have concerns or who are struggling to manage.

After significant discussion within our leadership group, AESES is asking that members refrain from performing unpaid work in their units and ensure that they maintain a work-life balance that is reasonable. This includes taking their full lunch and work breaks and not responding to phones and emails after normal working hours unless formal standby is required and paid for. This also means that either overtime is approved to work beyond your normal hours in order to complete necessary tasks, or work that is deemed not important is left to another work day. Additionally, shift schedules are not to be flexed by managers nor should schedules be changed without proper notice in all cases. We appreciate that our members are dedicated to their work, their departments and the students. However, these are challenging circumstances and looking after your well-being and good mental health is vitally important. Managing workloads and expectations in units is necessary for the protection of everyone.

Please take the time to reach out to a co-worker or friend and make sure they are doing okay. A small gesture can serve as a breath of fresh air for struggling individuals. Our physical distancing does not have to lead to self-isolation.

Message #9 to Our Members Re. COVID-19

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

As we continue to await word from the Universities regarding the response from the Provincial Government to their salary reduction submissions, we thought we would share some comments that our Board of Representatives and labour relations team are hearing from you, our members.

First, an update for our UM members. The University has begun the process of issuing temporary layoffs to employees in units where they have determined that there is no work possible, either onsite or from home. As of this morning, AESES is now aware of over 50 positions receiving temporary layoff notices in a number of areas, primarily Kinesiology & Recreation Management, Marketing Communications Office, the Book Store and a few smaller areas. AESES disagrees with the University’s interpretation of the Collective Agreement provisions and their process of implementing these layoffs, and we are exploring options with our legal counsel to formally challenge their actions.

At the UW, our Collective Agreement doesn’t have a clause dealing with temporary layoffs, so they are more constrained in their ability to take similar action. However, at both institutions they have chosen to not schedule any further hours for those part-time employees in variable hour positions where units have closed. These members should have received their Records of Employment in order to apply for EI or the federal government’s CERB program.

However, the main reason for our communication today is to relay to you the two main themes that we’re hearing from members that are of significant concern. One surrounds the workload issues that are arising and the other deals with the well-being of our members.

Workload: We have been receiving a significant increase in emails and phone calls from members indicating that they are struggling to keep up with the volume of work they are required to perform. While working from home has its benefits (the commute can’t be beat!), it also raises many challenges and often a quick task done at the office now takes two or three times longer to accomplish. You may not have all of the same programs or equipment from home and physical files are more than likely still at the workplace.

AESES members are amazingly dedicated employees who work hard to meet deadlines, produce quality work, help students and assist faculty and other staff in getting their work done.  It’s far too easy, particularly while working from home, to start your day early, work through breaks and take shortened lunch hours just to get the voluminous amount of work you have on your plate done. While employees can typically handle the stress of this increased productivity for a short period of time, the continued strain on an individual of maintaining this pace over time is leading to extreme burnout in many.

We want to emphasize to our members that most of you are being paid to work a 7 hour day, and pushing yourself to work extra hours, particularly where you’re not being compensated for that extra time, is only hurting yourself. If you’re unable to get work done or meet deadlines, it’s incumbent on you to let your supervisor know. It will then be up to your supervisor to determine what takes priority or what will need to be postponed. A supervisor should NOT be responding with “it all needs to be done so figure it out”. If any member is having difficulty with their supervisor, please contact the AESES office for assistance.

Well-being:  We’re hearing from far too many of our members that they are seriously struggling with the stress of their work situation and the anxiety of not knowing if they’re being targeted for a potential layoff. Even those who are busier than ever due to the increased enrolments are fearful that they will be temporarily reduced or laid off. Unfortunately, the Universities have done little to allay these fears.

We’ve talked to many members in recent days who are near their breaking point and are in need of immediate medical assistance. Members should not avoid dealing with their mental health and physical well-being before it becomes a crisis situation, especially during this pandemic. Sometimes connecting with a counsellor through EFAP is sufficient and is a good preventive step to take. In other cases, being in a continued state of stress leads to adverse physical symptoms and disorders. This is where it’s most important that you talk to your family doctor and seek medical care. Where employees are experiencing a legitimate medical situation that necessitates time off from work, most are entitled to paid sick leave. If you’re in this situation and would like to seek confidential assistance from the AESES office, please contact us at aeses@aeses.ca or call 204-949-5200.

AESES is continuing to stand with our members and is committed to providing the necessary resources to the substantial challenges everyone is facing.  As a reminder, we recently announced the COVID-19 Assistance Fund for those experiencing extreme financial hardship due to loss of work resulting from COVID-19 closures.  Information on the fund can be found on our website at www.aeses.ca.

Stay safe & stay well.

Accepting Applications: AESES’ COVID-19 Assistance Fund

Saturday, May 2nd, 2020

May 1st: International Workers Day

Friday, May 1st, 2020

Thank you, from us to you!

The poignancy of May Day takes on extra meaning this year, as we struggle with uncertainty and stresses and fears in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated affect on our jobs and workplaces and sense of security.

We are stronger recognizing all of our contributions and the value we bring to our universities. We are stronger supporting each other. We are stronger together! As employees, as a unions, and as a labour movement.

Thank you! Today, on International Workers Day, and every day going forward.

– your AESES Team

Message #8 to Our Members Re. COVID-19

Wednesday, April 29th, 2020

From the AESES President’s home office:

I was asked to send a personal message to the membership to give some indication of everything AESES has been doing over the last 6ish weeks.

Before I do that, I want to reassure everyone that AESES is working hard to preserve your rights under our collective agreements and to provide support to any member who reaches out to us. Every message to our members that comes from AESES is created by a very hard-working team of people including Lisa McKendry, Exec. Director; Lorne Hilton, Labour Relations Officer and me. We are constantly consulting with the Executive Council as well. We endeavour to include whatever information is pertinent and factual at the time it is written. We are trying very hard to not give false hope or show negativity which has no basis in fact. We have been providing links to mental health supports, to COVID-19 information, to petitions protesting Pallister’s newest austerity measures, etc.

Since March 12th, AESES has formally met with the UM 4 times; with the UW 5 times and we have held 6 formal meetings of the Executive. We have sent letters to UW President Trimbee, UM President Barnard; UW HR Director Roberta Marsh; UM VP (HR) Darlene Smith; Premier Brian Pallister with copies to NDP Leader Wab Kinew, Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont and Kelly Johnson, President, CCU. The All Unions Committee at the UM met to discuss our common goals. We were included in an online meeting between the government and public sector unions and the follow-up meetings with the Partnership to Defend Pubic Services. This doesn’t include the many, many emails between the employers and unions, with members of the Executive, the Board, and various committees. We’ve also been dealing with members on employment matters not related to the COVID-19 situation as other work, and issues for our members, still continues. Finally, we created a new assistance fund which will be launched very shortly which will assist those of you who might be facing significant financial hardships as our employers move to meet whatever cuts will be imposed by the provincial government.

Like most of you, the AESES Office had to move to working remotely. And, we had to cancel everything from education seminars, various activities, the annual volunteers’ banquet, and more. The Annual General Meeting was postponed. Our meetings are being held remotely which has its own challenges. But, we are doing it … just like all of you.

In the midst of everything AESES has been doing, yesterday, we received a few emails to tell us about an event being advertised on Facebook. Someone had decided to have a car rally around the Legislative Buildings to protest Pallister’s intention to cut salaries and jobs at the Universities and other public sector unions. On Saturday, 6 cars made up the rally. By Sunday, about 60 cars joined in. And, every evening this week at 6:00 p.m. the rally continues. I think this is a fabulous idea and I am happy to let you all know about it. Information about the rally can be found on our Facebook page and through Twitter.

Thank you all for everything you are doing. We know how hard you are all working to keep your University running. We know how scared you are. We know that anxieties are running high. Please know that we are doing everything we can to support you and to fight for you with our employers and with our government.

Until our next message, I hope everyone stays healthy and safe.

Laurie Morris
AESES President

Message #7 to Our Members Re. COVID-19

Friday, April 24th, 2020

We thought we would send a message to our membership today to mark the end of a week filled with new developments as we continue the requirements to observe physical distancing. AESES understands that as this situation goes on people are becoming lulled into a different type of routine while conversely becoming more and more anxious about what the future holds. This is a strange paradox; however, we are living a strange new “normal” throughout our nation and across the globe.

Unfortunately, we have no updates to provide to our members with respect to the Pallister Government’s directive to public-sector employers to develop plans for staffing reductions and savings at the 10, 20 and 30 per cent targets. Both the University of Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg have announced that they have forwarded their submissions to the government earlier this week. At this point in time, everyone is waiting to hear what the government’s decision will be insofar as to what degree the Universities will be expected to make cuts.

AESES has continued to express our view to the Universities that they should be pushing back against the government’s directives given the continued need for work to be done. Many of our members have called and emailed to say that they are just as busy, if not busier, at this time. Any reductions to the hours being worked by employees will drastically impact the level of service that can be provided to students and to the ongoing operations of the Universities.

Irrespective of the government’s exercise, and as we had previously communicated, the Universities will likely start to examine those positions where areas have closed and there is no possibility for working remotely. While this may have been delayed by the requirement for the employers to respond to the government in an incredibly short time frame, we are learning of some temporary layoffs that are beginning to take place. So far, these have been in areas where there is no work that can be performed.

AESES wants to remind all our members that EFAP supports are available to all employees, including those who have been temporarily laid off. It is important that everyone continues to monitor their wellbeing, and their mental health, and seek medical assistance when needed. Sick leave is still an option for members who are unable to work, in keeping with medical advice, and all regular benefits remain available to support your health care needs. For EFAP support contact:

• At UW, access MB Blue Cross EFAP via:
  • Phone: 1-800-590-5553
  • Website: mygoodhealth.ca
  • Mobile app: mybluecross mobile
• At UM, access Shepell via:
  • Phone: 1-800-387-4765
  • Website: www.workhealthlife.com
  • Mobile app: My EAP

While we wait on the government, we wanted to point out that there are two online petitions where individuals can protest these draconian cuts that Premier Pallister has called for. If you want to add your voice to those in opposition you can find the petitions at the following links:

• https://www.cfsmb.ca
• https://www.mbndp.ca/stop_pallister_s_job_cuts?utm_campaign=wab_covid_job_cuts&utm_medium=email&utm_source=mbndp

Members are also encouraged to write to their MLA, and Premier Pallister, to register their concerns. A listing of all MLAs can be found on the government’s website at:

• https://www.gov.mb.ca/legislature/members/mla_list_constituency.html

In addition, the United Way of Winnipeg has created a webpage with a wide variety of links for Winnipeggers affected by COVID-19. The resources on this site include information on health, employment, finances, education and much more. You can find their information at the following:

• https://unitedwaywinnipeg.ca/covid-19-resources-list-for-winnipeggers/

AESES members continue to work hard to do their part in ensuring that the Universities are maintaining their objectives of providing education to the student population and in supporting the important research work that has not stopped during this pandemic. We want to thank each and everyone of you for the professionalism you have displayed and the contributions you are making. AESES’ reputation is strengthened by your collective efforts and we appreciate the work you do to help the Universities to succeed.

Stay well.

Message #6 to Our Members Re. COVID-19

Monday, April 20th, 2020

Many of you are now aware through reports in the media that the Pallister Government has asked the Universities, along with other public-sector employers, to find ways to reduce staffing costs by as much as 30 per cent. The Government has said that this move is necessary in order to re-direct their resources towards the needs of the front-line health care workers.

While the reporting in the media is accurate, it’s important that our members are aware that public-sector employers have been asked to report on options to meet targets of 10, 20 and 30 per cent. At this point in time, we do not know which of the target amounts, if any, the Universities will be required to meet.

AESES has been working hard over the past week and weekend meeting with the Universities and other union officials, and to write to the leaders of the Universities and to Premier Pallister to express our serious concerns that any cuts will significantly affect the ability of the Universities to operate. This includes the long-term repercussions of decisions of this magnitude. Copies of these letters are available for viewing on the COVID-19 page of the AESES website at https://aeses.ca/covid-19-info-updates/.

We will continue to press on this front; however, it is always possible that the Pallister Government will have little concern for the financial effect on public-sector employees and will demand that these cuts proceed. Should this be the case, we will work with the Universities to address our members’ concerns about job security and income protection and will do what we can to ensure that the rights and benefits under the Collective Agreements are upheld where possible.

AESES also continues to investigate other ways to support our members during this stressful time. As mentioned in previous communications, we have set aside money to establish a COVID-19 Assistance Fund for those members who encounter a significant loss of income. We hope to be able to send more detailed information on this fund to our membership later this week.

These are unprecedented times and many workers across Canada are experiencing financial and social hardships as a result. As AESES members, we support the hard work of the front-line health care workers, and all those who put themselves at risk each day to serve the needs of the public. However, to expect public-sector employees to bear the burden of the financial costs of the Provincial Government is reprehensible in this time of national crisis.

Message #5 to Our Members Re. COVID-19

Saturday, April 18th, 2020

As you are aware, both President Barnard from the University of Manitoba and President Trimbee from The University of Winnipeg sent emails earlier this week to all employees indicating that there has been a new directive from the provincial government with respect to dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Both messages included the concept that we had to work together as a community to find ways to support the front-line workers during this health crisis.  However, we feel it’s important that our members are aware that the government’s directive to all public-sector employers has been to find substantial costs savings in relation to salaries in particular.

AESES is busy petitioning both Universities and the provincial government to reconsider this exercise as it pertains to University employees, as any reductions would severely impact the ability of both Universities to continue their obligations of teaching and research.  However, if cuts are determined to be necessary to comply with the government’s directive, we will do all that we can to ensure these are as minimal as possible and are shared across the Universities’ employee groups.  This includes pressing the Universities to ensure that any potential reductions are not permanent in nature.

AESES understands that this may be disturbing news to hear at a time when people are already concerned about their health and safety, and may be having difficulty adjusting to the requirements for physical distancing.  As soon as we have more information that we can share on these developments, we will be sure to send another communication to our membership.

Your Vote: UM University Pension Committee

Thursday, April 16th, 2020