JUNE 2025
AESES Newsletter | insideAESES | JUNE 2025 | Vol. 48 Issue No. 03
Dear Member,
Welcome to June! Here is our newest issue of insideAESES!
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insideAESES
President’s Message – June 2025
Ah, June! The time when many of us look forward to the warmth of summer, to planning vacation time, and reconnecting with our friends and family. A time for warmth, community, and continued solidarity. And as always, no matter the season, AESES continues to fight for equity, member rights, and respect in the workplace. But that’s not all…
We do have some exciting activities coming up over the summer months. A chance for us all to connect, boost morale, and remind ourselves that life definitely does not center around the work day! Over the coming months, we will be providing deals for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Winnipeg Sea Bears, Winnipeg Goldeyes, and Valour FC. Tickets for these events are specifically discounted for AESES members. I’m reminded that teamwork in sports is not unlike the teamwork we need in the labour movement. All of us are working together towards a common goal. Watch your email and our website for further details.
June is also Pride Month, and our union stands proudly with 2SLGBTQIA+ members. Inclusion is not optional—it’s foundational to the labour movement. We support safe, respectful workplaces where all members can thrive without fear of discrimination.
Finally, as I stated in our last update, bargaining is about to get underway at The University of Winnipeg. We held our first AESES-UW Members Meeting on May 29 and presented the members in attendance with proposals that will begin the bargaining process with the employer.
We’ll also be calling for proposals and creating the University of Manitoba’s Negotiation Committee imminently. We stand firm in our commitment to securing strong collective agreements that protect wages, improve working conditions, and defend the rights we’ve fought so hard to win.
Our union is only as strong as its members are engaged. Make sure to watch for email updates and to follow us on social media ( | | )!
In Solidarity, 
Rob
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June 2025 Read about the cases that our members are currently facing with each employer as of June 1, 2025.
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insideAESES
AESES Appointments
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Will Christie was appointed as UM Contract Administrator on the Executive Council. The following members have been appointed to the Board of Representatives: Tobe Duggan (UW) to District 55, Kevin Ferreira (UM) changed from District 30 to 5, and Harley Stasiuk (UM) to District 4. Jillian Golby Borsa (UW) was appointed Chair, and Natasha Taiarol (UW) a member, of the UW Workplace Safety & Health Committee.
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Visit our New Faces page to view the latest AESES hires for June 2025 at both universities, as reported to us by the University of Manitoba (UM) and The University of Winnipeg (UW). The lists include full-time, part-time, temporary, and seasonal employees.
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insideAESES
Can You Tell Me: How Does Sick Leave Apply to Mental Health?
Sick leave as defined in our respective Collective Agreements, does not distinguish between mental and physical health conditions. For the UM, in Article 17.1, Sick Leave is defined as “the period of time an employee is permitted to be absent from work with pay by virtue of being sick or disabled, or because of an accident.” The language for the UW in Article 15.1 is identical but uses the word “injury” instead of “accident.” Sickness and disability are not limited to physical conditions, but also encompass mental health issues.
Depression, anxiety, addiction, and other psychiatric disorders, whether acute or chronic, can be just as debilitating. An employee suffering from such a condition might require the use of sick leave. They might also require time off to attend a medical appointment related to their mental health. Full-time employees are entitled to use sick leave for dental and medical appointments (UM 17.1.3, UW 15.1.2).
A medical certificate or “sick note” is not typically required for short absences, whether they are related to mental health or physical conditions. The employer does, however, have the right to request one (UM 17.4, UW 15.6), especially in cases of extended, frequent, or unusual absences. The note would include the dates the employee was/is unable to attend work, a general description of their condition (but not the diagnosis), and the expected timeframe of their return to work.
Confidentiality may be a key concern, especially given the stigma that mental illness may carry. Both Collective Agreements include rights to privacy and the protection of Personal Health Information (UM 17.2, UW 15.6). An employee is not required to disclose the nature of their illness to their supervisor or coworkers; any required medical documentation may be submitted confidentially to a designated representative in Human Resources.
Both Universities offer Employee and Family Assistance Programs (EFAPs), which provide access to free and confidential mental health and wellness services. The University of Winnipeg’s services are delivered through Blue Cross, and the University of Manitoba’s services are provided by Kii. These programs reflect each University’s commitment to supporting the health and wellness of their employees. Support is available through counselling, offered in person, by phone, or online, as well as through educational resources, crisis support, and referrals to specialized care when needed.
AESES encourages our members to reach out to the Labour Team for assistance in understanding their rights related to Sick Leave and mental health. We can be reached at 204-949-5200 or LabourTeam@aeses.ca.
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insideAESES
Safety and Health Corner - June 2025
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The Committee held its Winter term meeting on April 2, 2025. The main topics of discussion were incident reporting, prevention auditing, and training provisions. These discussions focused on understanding the current practices and procedures to see…
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events
Members' Day Lunch 2025
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Thank you to the hundreds of members who attended our Members’ Day Lunches at the UM Bannatyne, UM Fort Garry, and UW campuses. This year, over 730 members registered to join us. This was our largest turnout ever! It was amazing to see everyone and enjoy lunch! Over $300 in monetary contributions were collected, and over 95 pounds of non-perishable food was delivered to the campus food banks. Thank you for your generosity!
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events
25 Years of Service - 2025
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During our 2025 Members’ Day Lunches, President Rob Parker acknowledged members who have 25 years of service and presented them with a token of appreciation. Congratulations!
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Deals
Member Benefits, Discounts, and Exclusive Deals
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Are you spending a bit too much on essentials? Did you know that AESES has a Benefits, Discounts, and Exclusive Deals page on our website? AESES has partnered with Perkopolis and UnionSavings, just to name a few, to save you money. We have a few others to 'fit' in coming this fall.
Visit the Member Benefits, Discounts, and Exclusive Deals section in the Members Area of the AESES website to learn more and unlock your savings! Not yet registered on our site? Register here.
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