Posts Tagged ‘insideaeses February 2026’
Save the Date – Annual General Meeting – April 14
Monday, February 2nd, 2026
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
7:00 PM
ONLINE
All signed* AESES union members are invited and encouraged to attend this year’s virtual AESES Annual General Meeting (AGM). In 2025, we had many members join us for the evening.
The AGM allows our executive team and committee chairs to review AESES financials with attendees, speak about the union’s activities, explain how our programs can benefit our membership, and preside over a question period.
Join us on April 14 to meet the people behind the decision-making process for spending your union dues and learn more about our programs and services. There will also be time for asking questions to members of the Executive Council and the Board.
Registration details and the 2025 AGM Annual Report will be available in March.
* Please note that only signed AESES members can attend the AGM and vote on any issues that arise. If you are interested in attending the AGM but not yet a signed member, please visit aeses.ca/membership to fill out a membership form.
Call for Volunteers – Committees and the Board
Monday, February 2nd, 2026
Help shape the future of AESES by filling an open position in these important roles!
- Diversity Committee
- University of Manitoba, Districts 01, 04, 07, 08, 30, 32, 34, 35, and 37
- The University of Winnipeg, Districts 52 and 56
- St. Andrew’s College, District 61
Contact the AESES Business Office at 204-949-5200 or aeses@aeses.ca to learn more.
President’s Message – February 2026
Sunday, February 1st, 2026
As I sit down at the computer to compose my first Message from the President for insideAESES, I find myself reflecting on the significant changes that have come my way since I began my term as Executive Vice-President in May 2024. After serving two terms as Interim President, I am honoured to have been voted into the role of President for the remainder of this term, ending May 2026.
I would like to take a moment to thank Rob Parker for his 20 plus years of dedication to AESES. Having served as a Board member, Contract Administrator, member of various committees and most recently as President, Rob’s tireless work on behalf of our members will not be forgotten. His insight and commitment will be greatly missed.
January was a time of cold reflection, warm hot chocolate and time well spent with family and friends as we endure yet another Winnipeg winter anticipating warmer days ahead. While the weather is cold, the work within AESES remains as active as ever.
The Education Committee and Activities Committee are gearing up for another great year of fun and educational events that our members can attend. Watch your email and aeses.ca in the coming months for details.
Our Labour Relations Team remains extremely busy ensuring your workplace concerns are heard and your rights are protected from your employer. If you feel your rights under the collective agreement have been compromised, please reach out to labourteam@aeses.ca. As always, all dealings with the AESES Business Office are strictly confidential.
The University of Winnipeg has concluded bargaining sessions with the employer and that AESES should have a contract offer to present to AESES-UW members in the upcoming weeks. For the University of Manitoba, the Negotiations Committee has been hard at work, vetting numerous proposals submitted by you, our members. We will soon schedule a AESES-UM membership meeting to approve the final list of proposals. Watch your email for further details about these important meetings. As Rob noted in his final President’s message, AESES stands firm in our commitment to securing strong, fair collective agreements.
In Solidarity,
Karen
Can You Tell Me: What is an Investigatory Meeting?
Sunday, February 1st, 2026
An investigatory meeting is a formal process initiated by the Employer when they are considering a situation that may lead to discipline. These meetings are a precursor to formal disciplinary action and are governed by our respective Collective Agreements.
The rules for investigatory meetings differ slightly between UW and UM. At UW, Article 9.4 generally requires that an investigation take place before discipline is imposed except in exceptional circumstances. At UM, Article 9.1 does not prescribe an investigation in all cases but allows the Employer to investigate alleged culpable activity that may give rise to discipline. At both Universities, the Employer must inform the Employee that the meeting is an investigation and advise them of their rights to AESES representation, although it is typically the Employee’s responsibility to request that representation.
Upon request, an AESES representative will speak with the member in advance of the meeting to help explain the process, discuss the context for the investigation, and consider what the Employer may be seeking to establish. In some cases, a member could be called as a witness to a situation involving others and may not be personally culpable. AESES can also advise the member on the potential relevance of disclosure, remorse, honesty, and any mitigating circumstances, such as medical issues, as part of preparing for the meeting.
The investigatory meeting normally includes representatives from HR and management, the member, and an AESES representative if requested. The Employer will outline their concerns and ask a series of questions in order to establish facts. Having AESES representation at the meeting is important to support the member during a potentially stressful process and to ensure accurate documentation of the investigation.
Several outcomes may follow the investigatory meeting. The Employer may decide to gather additional information at another meeting, take no further action, or issue formal discipline. Discipline typically follows the path of progressive discipline, beginning with an Oral Warning, though in more serious situations the Employer may proceed directly to suspension or dismissal.
If discipline is issued and a member believes it to be unjust, it may be possible to challenge it through the grievance process as outlined in the Collective Agreement (UM Article 23; UW Article 21). Documentation of the investigatory meeting can be an important way to support that process. Members who have been summoned to an investigatory meeting, or who have questions about this process, are encouraged to contact the AESES Business Office at 204-949-5200 or LabourTeam@aeses.ca.
Contract Admin
Sunday, October 1st, 2023
Here are the updates on active Association cases with each employer:
February 2026
University of Manitoba
- The grievance filed on behalf of a member who was dismissed for alleged unacceptable behaviour has been referred to First Stage.
The University of Winnipeg
- None.
Previous
December 2025
University of Manitoba
- The member grievance filed on behalf of a member who received a 2-day suspension for allegedly failing to provide an adequate level of service based on their training has been settled.
- The grievance filed on behalf of a member who received a 3-day suspension for alleged errors resulting in financial impact to the unit was recently settled.
- The grievance filed on behalf of a member who was dismissed for alleged improper use of sick time and failure to meet performance standards has been settled.
The University of Winnipeg
- None
October 2025
University of Manitoba
- The grievance filed on behalf of a member who received a 3-day suspension for alleged errors resulting in financial impact to the unit has been referred to Second Stage.
- The grievance filed on behalf of a member who was dismissed for alleged improper use of sick time and failure to meet performance standards has been referred to Second Stage.
The University of Winnipeg
- None
August 2025
University of Manitoba
- The grievance filed on behalf of a member whose family status issue was not adequately accommodated by the University was settled prior to Arbitration.
The University of Winnipeg
- None
June 2025
University of Manitoba
- The member grievance filed on behalf of a member alleging the University failed to reasonably accommodate the member’s return to work following a medical leave has been settled prior to the Second Stage meeting.
- A new member grievance was filed on behalf of a member who received discipline for alleged disrespectful behaviour.
- A new member grievance was filed on behalf of a member who received a 3-day suspension for alleged performance issues.
The University of Winnipeg
- None
April 2025
University of Manitoba
- The member grievance filed on behalf of a member who received a 2-day suspension for allegedly failing to provide an adequate level of service based on their training has been referred to Arbitration.
- The member grievance filed on behalf of a member alleging the University failed to reasonably accommodate the member’s return to work following a medical leave has been referred to Second Stage.
The University of Winnipeg
- The grievance filed for a member whose employment was terminated for alleged failure to adhere to health leave stipulations and referred to Second Stage has been settled.
February 2025
University of Manitoba
- The member grievance filed on behalf of a member alleging that the University failed to reasonably accommodate the member in a return to work following extended medical leave was settled prior to Arbitration.
- A new member grievance was filed on behalf of a member who received a 1-day suspension for allegedly poor performance.
- A new member grievance was filed on behalf of a member alleging the University failed to reasonably accommodate the member’s return to work following a medical leave.
The University of Winnipeg
- None
October 2024
University of Manitoba
- The grievance filed on behalf of a member whose family status issue was not adequately accommodated by the University has been referred to arbitration.
- The member grievance filed on behalf of a member who received a 2-day suspension for allegedly failing to provide an adequate level of service based on their training was denied at the First Stage and has been referred to Second Stage.
The University of Winnipeg
- None