Archive for the ‘News Feed’ Category
Recent Communications on Vaccine Mandates
Thursday, August 12th, 2021
To: All AESES Members
Many of you may have noticed in recent news and social media that the Manitoba Organization of Faculty Associations (MOFA) and the University of Winnipeg Faculty Association (UWFA) have been advocating for a vaccine mandate at Manitoba universities.
While AESES recognizes the position that both MOFA and UWFA have taken, deciding to support a vaccine mandate is a complex matter with many variables to take into consideration. We would like to emphasize that AESES supports and encourages all eligible members to be fully vaccinated; however, we are still weighing the implications of supporting a vaccine mandate at this time. More information is needed and we also want to hear from our membership through a planned upcoming survey.
We understand the frustration and anxiety that many of our members are feeling about returning to work in some capacity. Many of you want answers on how your safety will be protected once you return to the workplace and answers have not been clearly communicated by either university yet. We will continue to press for appropriate safety standards just as we have been doing since the start of the pandemic. If you have a particular safety concern in your department, this should be directed to your Local Area Safety & Health Committee at the UM or to the Safety Office at the UW.
Although AESES encourages everyone who is eligible to be vaccinated, and to follow the provincial health guidelines and recommendations, we also realize there are some members who may be unable to get vaccinated. If you are someone who is unable to be vaccinated and may require an accommodation depending on your unique situation, please contact the AESES labour relations staff to review your situation and obtain guidance (email: aeses@aeses.ca). For those who are eligible but still hesitant to be vaccinated, we strongly encourage you to consult with your family doctor about vaccine safety.
As a work community, we should always respect and support each other’s right to safety in the workplace. In this pandemic environment, that includes protecting each other by ensuring we have a community that is less likely to transmit the COVID-19 virus. We are fortunate that in Manitoba we have a high rate of vaccination. At the time of writing this message, 80.6% of eligible Manitobans (ages 12+) have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 73.2% have received two doses. Let’s do what we can to continue these strong vaccination numbers and support each other in the workplace. Not only are we protecting ourselves by being vaccinated, we’re also protecting our co-workers and their children who are too young to be vaccinated.
Thank you.
AESES Executive Council
Visiting our office
Friday, August 6th, 2021
We will continue to require masks when visiting our office. Our priority is the health and safety of our staff, members, and the community.
Extra, Extra: insideAESES Newsletter (August 2021)
Tuesday, August 3rd, 2021
Today, August 3, is the 215th day of 2021. Wow, where did this year go? AESES hopes that you could find the time to rest and recharge from the office this summer!
Before heading outside to harvest your veggies or water the lawn, take a few moments and read the latest edition of insideAESES. Inside this issue, you will find:
- A message from Laurie Morris, AESES President, including community awareness and support
- An article on what to expect when campuses reopen
- Information about the AESES Business Office move
- Ongoing union and member grievances
- News about helping three local community organizations
- Details about United Way Winnipeg’s kickoff – Rally, Revive and Thrive
Extra, Extra: insideAESES Newsletter (June 2021)
Tuesday, June 1st, 2021
Can you believe it? June is here. Whether you are a gardener, camper, sports star or backyard enthusiast, it’s time to get outside!
But before you slather on the sunscreen and head outside, take a few minutes and read the latest edition of insideAESES. Inside this issue:
- A message from Laurie Morris, AESES President, including AESES Honourary Life Memberships, Dedicated Service Awards, and Years of Service Awards recipients.
- Vacation entitlement clarification
- Ongoing union and member grievances
- AESES AGM Recap
Wellness Resources
Saturday, May 29th, 2021
AESES maintains a wellness resource with helpful links to support members’ well-being & mental health. If you need to talk, please reach out to a friend, family member or a professional.
Visit our Wellness Resources page for more information.
AESES Virtual Backgrounds
Saturday, May 1st, 2021
Are you looking to show support and solidarity with AESES while on your virtual meeting?
Whether you are working from your office or your home office, you now have AESES ready-to-use virtual backgrounds for Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Cisco Webex.
Extra, Extra: insideAESES Newsletter (April 2021)
Thursday, April 1st, 2021
Welcome to April, blown in like a tornado!!!
No April foolin’ here. It’s time for the latest edition of insideAESES. Grab a refreshing iced tea on the rocks (don’t forget the mini umbrella!) and have a read. Inside this issue:
- A message from Laurie Morris, AESES President
- AESES AGM registration and Annual Report details
- Information about when overtime should apply
- Ongoing union and member grievances
- CCU/CSC Executive Board Meeting Report
- Letter from Jamie Moses, MLA for St. Vital
Working During the Pandemic Survey Results Now Available
Monday, March 15th, 2021
Starting in mid-December 2020, AESES invited members from the University of Manitoba (UM) and The University of Winnipeg (UW) to complete a short, anonymous survey about their working conditions during the pandemic.
The 1,161 responses identified that most UM and UW members face similar struggles with their current working situations and environments. A majority of members shared that their mental health has deteriorated to some extent during the pandemic. With most members working from home, the line between work and home life seems to be blurring and appears to be causing concerns.
AESES will be scheduling meetings with both universities’ administration to share our members’ difficulties and advocate on your behalf for better support and direction resulting from your responses.
Extra, Extra: insideAESES Newsletter (February 2021)
Monday, February 1st, 2021
Happy February!
As you patiently wait for tomorrow when a furry rodent predicts when spring will start, spend a few minutes today reading the first insideAESES newsletter of 2021. Inside this issue:
- A message from Laurie Morris, AESES President
- AGM date and information
- Upcoming member education seminars
- Ongoing union and member grievances
- Steps to submit your job for classification review
- Learn about vacation carry over
- Introduction of the AESES Diversity Committee
- CCU/CSC bursary winners
View the February issue and previous ones here.
Have a great week, and stay safe!
AESES COVID-19 Survey for Members
Friday, December 18th, 2020
To: All AESES Members
Since the pandemic started, our working conditions and situations have drastically changed from nine months ago and continue to evolve.
AESES would like to gain some feedback and insights from our members about what you have experienced and how your current situation is related to workload, supervision, breaks, overtime, and overall wellness.
Please take 5-10 minutes and fill out the anonymous survey at the link found below. AESES will use your responses to understand better the situation our members have been facing since March. AESES may provide a general summary to the University, but no individual identifying information will be associated with this report. The survey will close to responses on January 15, 2021.
Survey is closed and link has been removed.
If you have any questions or concerns with the survey, please contact our general office at aeses@aeses.ca or 204-949-5200.
We value your input and thank you for your time.
Stay safe.