Posts Tagged ‘insideAESES April 2026’
Spring Education Seminars
Monday, April 13th, 2026
AESES Spring 2026 Education Seminars
- Learn Hatchet Throwing | Sat., May 2 | 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
- Birding for Beginners | Sat., May 9 | 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
- Introduction to Enneagram | Thu., May 14 | 6:30 – 8:30 pm
- Basic Bicycle Maintenance | Tue., May 19 | 6:30 – 8:30 pm
- Cooking with Nancy – Samosa and Chai | Sat., May 30 | 12:30 – 3:30 pm
- Labour Relations – Inside Investigation Meetings: What Every Member Should Know (Virtual) | Mon., June 1 | 6:30 – 8:30 pm
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
Can You Tell Me: What Personal Medical Information is the Employer Entitled to Receive?
Wednesday, April 1st, 2026
Sick leave can be a stressful and confusing time, and members may be unsure what information they need to share with the employer. Understanding what personal medical information the employer can request is important for protecting medical privacy and helps navigate both short and long-duration sick leave confidently. The details of the right to medical privacy are outlined in our respective Collective Agreements through Article 15.6 at The University of Winnipeg and 17.2 at the University of Manitoba.
For brief sick leave absences, members may be required to provide some basic information. The employer can ask about the general nature of the illness, but typically not the specific medical diagnosis or detailed treatment information. Examples of this distinction might include reporting a “mental health issue” as opposed to “anxiety and depression,” or “respiratory illness” as opposed to “bronchitis.” They can also ask about the length of the absence and the expected date of return. This information can help the employer plan operations and staffing while still considering the member’s privacy.
Extended sick leave absences may require sharing more information. As with shorter leaves, the employer can request a prognosis for return and a general description of the condition. Additionally, they may ask further questions to explore potential support and accommodation. This often comes in the form of a medical questionnaire to be provided to the member’s medical practitioner. The Collective Agreement entitles the employer to some information for the administration of sick leave, coming from Article 17.4 (UM) and 15.6 (UW). Requests for information will depend on the individual circumstances and should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
The purpose of these types of questions is not to pry into private medical details, but rather to help the employer better understand the condition and any limitations it imposes. It is important for the member to cooperate with the process in these scenarios. Failure to furnish necessary medical information could result in undesirable consequences, as per Article 17.4 (UM) and 15.6.3 (UW). The additional information not only helps the employer to plan temporary adjustments in their operation, but also to provide necessary accommodations and ensure a safe, supported return.
Members should know that they do not have to navigate these questions on their own. Please contact the AESES Business Office if you are unsure whether a question from the employer related to medical information or sick leave is appropriate. We are able to clarify your rights to privacy and help balance that right what information the employer can request.
Cosmic Glow Bowling Recap – March 2026
Wednesday, April 1st, 2026
Thanks for everyone who attended on March 21 at Billy Mosienko Lanes. Almost 50 members and their friends and families enjoyed pizza, prizes and bowling!
Thanks to Blair Zelinsky for the photos of the event!
The winning teams:
Round 1
Tessa Pearen, Frank and Marie Leskovjan, Angela Carlson, Nick Yates, and Laura Butler
Round 2
Dave Nicholls, Montana and Kirsten Quiring, Mark, Aria and Jack Nuttall
Round 3
Viviana Burgos Camacho, Gustavo Abella, Brandy Currie, and Tracy McDonald
Contract Admin
Sunday, October 1st, 2023
Here are the updates on active Association cases with each employer:
April 2026
University of Manitoba
- The grievance filed on behalf of a member who was dismissed for breaching several workplace policies and rules is at Second Stage.
The University of Winnipeg
- None.