Posts Tagged ‘insideAESES October 2025’
AESES 2025 Children’s Winter Holiday Extravaganza Registration
Thursday, October 2nd, 2025
Join us on November 30!
The AESES Activities Committee is excited to announce the annual Children’s party! Enjoy an afternoon filled with entertainment from the Comedy Illusions of Greg & Oonaugh, colouring, crafts, a washable tattoo station, nail painting, and clowns who will provide face painting and balloon animals. food, and a visit from Santa.
Sunday, November 30
1:00 – 4:00 PM
- Comedy Illusions of Greg & Oonaugh from 1:30 – 2:30 pm
- Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive at 2:30 pm
University of Manitoba
Fort Garry Campus
MPR, 220-224
UMSU University Centre
REGISTER TODAY!
The deadline to register is November 3, 2025.
The Committee is also looking for volunteers to help during the event. Visit the registration form above to learn more.
Can You Tell Me: What is a Position Discontinuance?
Wednesday, October 1st, 2025
A Position Discontinuance refers to the removal of a particular job by the employer once they determine, for a variety of possible reasons, that it is no longer necessary. However, it is important to clarify for the member in the position that it is not the same as being fired or dismissed. A Position Discontinuance is about the removal of the job, not the member.
The Position Discontinuance process is described in Article 10 of both the AESES-UW and -UM Collective Agreements, and is similar but not exactly the same for each University. It begins when the employer provides written notice to the member that their position will be discontinued, notifies AESES, and schedules a meeting with the member and a union representative to discuss the process and the various options available through Article 10.
The notice period is 56 calendar days at UM and 40 working days at UW. During this period, the member continues to be paid normally, and may or may not continue to work. The primary goal during the notice period is to make the member whole by transferring them into a vacant job within the same classification, hours of work, and position category as the discontinued position. The member should also be able to perform the job with a minimal retraining period: 60 working days at UW, or 420 hours at UM. HR actively searches through job postings throughout the notice period to match these criteria.
If a transfer is not accomplished as outlined above, there are other choices and options available through Article 10. The details are similar between UW and UM, and also depend on the specific circumstances of the discontinued position. Some choices could include opting for the exercise of seniority or bumping, opting for severance based on the member’s seniority, either as a lump sum or biweekly payment period, or opting for a period of lay-off of up to a year in which the member retains their seniority.
A representative from AESES is available to the member for guidance starting from the initial Position Discontinuance meeting and throughout the process. The representative can help interpret the various decisions and their consequences provided under Article 10. AESES provides guidance and interpretation, but the choices are ultimately up to the member to make; there is no single, correct answer for every scenario.
AESES will always, furthermore, scrutinize the rationale provided by the employer when they discontinue a position. Legitimate reasons within the employer’s rights for discontinuing a position might include operational changes, organizational restructuring within a department, advances in technology, redundancy or reassignment of duties, expiry of grant funding, or budgetary constraints. AESES looks at each discontinuance on a case-by-case basis. It is important that AESES examines and understands the reason the decision was made in order to best inform and advise the member.
We encourage our members to reach out to the AESES Business Office with any questions or concerns related to the Position Discontinuance process or otherwise, at labourteam@aeses.ca or 204-949-5200.
President’s Message – October 2025
Wednesday, October 1st, 2025
Hello, and a happy fall to all, fellow AESES members!
As we begin another academic year, I want to extend a warm welcome back to all our members. September always seems to bring a fresh sense of excitement and anticipation, along with energy and renewal. Whether you’ve been away on vacation, enjoying time with family, or simply chilling at home, I hope your summer brought rest and renewed energy. Now, as we step into the Fall Term, AESES continues to work in support and advocate for the issues that matter most to members.
We’re excited to offer several upcoming opportunities to connect and learn together. Our Brown Bag Session: Classification Administration, will provide members a chance to ask questions to our knowledgeable Labour Relations Team regarding how classifications are initially set and the process of getting reclassified. These sessions are always well attended and can show you how to ensure you’re being compensated appropriately!
As well, members should watch for announcements of additional Fall Education Seminars. We plan to offer archery, as well as an ice fishing outing – complete with instruction and participation. These educational sessions are a great opportunity to meet and connect with other members who share the same interests.
With apologies in advance (I know, I know – it’s only OCTOBER for crying out loud!), I feel I should also mention that planning is already underway for our Annual Children’s Winter Holiday Extravaganza! This event is a highlight of the year, bringing families together for an afternoon of fun, laughter, and celebration. While the snow hasn’t arrived (yet), it’s never too early to mark your calendars for November 30th and anticipate the joy this gathering brings to our AESES family. Registration details are found in this issue of insideAESES.
With regard to bargaining, at The University of Winnipeg, bargaining is moving forward. With the Essential Services Agreement recently settled, the path is now clear to begin formal negotiations. This milestone is a significant one, and we will approach this process with the same diligence and determination that defines AESES’ work across both institutions.
Meanwhile, at the University of Manitoba, our Negotiation Committee has begun its important work. Meetings are currently taking place, and discussions will continue until the core bargaining proposals are finalized. Once this stage is complete, the smaller bargaining committee will be struck from the negotiations committee to carry forward the negotiations. These early steps are vital in setting the tone for bargaining, and we remain committed to ensuring that members’ voices and priorities guide every decision.
As always, we are reminded that the strength of AESES lies in its members – your contributions, insights, and willingness to stand together and support each other. Whether you join us at an educational outing, share your feedback at a Brown Bag Session, or attend the Children’s Winter Holiday Extravaganza or a Members’ Day Lunch, your involvement matters.
Thank you for your time, consideration, and support. All the best for a safe, happy, and productive Fall Term.
In Solidarity,
Rob
In memory of Jane Barske (1950 – 2025)
Wednesday, October 1st, 2025
Jane Barske, born November 16, 1950, passed away on August 26, 2025. Jane worked her entire career at The University of Winnipeg, starting in the print shop at 19, then moving to various departments and retiring as Communications/Records Manager in 2005, and was heavily involved with AESES from the beginning. Jane was awarded an Honourary Life Membership in 2006.
Jane was a distinguished and valuable volunteer with AESES at UW right from its inception. She worked hard as a member of the original organizing committee and getting membership cards signed. Her signature was one of the names on the original affidavit to the Manitoba Labour Board, which resulted in the AESES-UW certificate issued back on June 27, 1986.
She began her selfless service to the members of the UW by serving on the Negotiations Committee from 1987 – 1990. In that time period, AESES-UW negotiated three collective agreements.
Jane then decided to focus her attention on the other areas of the Association that needed help. She represented AESES on the UW Joint Employee Benefits Committee starting in 1989 and served on that committee as Chair until she retired in 2005.
Jane was a distinguished member of the Executive Council, serving in several positions over different periods of time: AESES Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee (1998 – 2001 and 2003 – 2005) and Administrative Secretary (1992 – 1993 and 2002 – 2003).
As AESES Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee, she was a very diligent and prudent guardian of the Association’s funds, keeping a tight rein on spending. Her final act as Treasurer was having the Board of Representatives approve a transfer of money to the Defense Fund, pushing it to over one million dollars.
She served on the Board of Representatives for 13 years from 1992 until she retired.
Jane was keenly interested in ensuring that AESES members always had a voice in matters that affected their working lives at the UW. As well as the UW Joint Employee Benefits Committee, she served on the AESES-UW Classification Committee, the AESES-UW Pension Committee, and the UW Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) Committee.
In addition, she served on the AESES Education, Constitution, and Communication Committees.
Jane was one of our most active members. She dedicated herself to serving the members she represented, making certain their concerns were heard, as well as those of all members at the UW.
Jane served AESES with distinction and dedication from the very beginning. She leaves a legacy of dedication and service. She will be truly missed. A Celebration of Life took place at the end of September.
Rest in peace, Jane.
New Members, Union Dues, and Being a Signed Member
Wednesday, October 1st, 2025
Welcome to the over 600 new members from the beginning of this year! We are truly excited for you to join AESES because of your employment with the University of Manitoba, The University of Winnipeg or St. Andrew’s College.
Now that you are a member, you might have some questions about the union dues that are listed on your pay statement. Here’s the story behind how these dues were introduced, what it means to be a signed member and why they contribute to the strength of a union.
Union dues are deducted automatically from every unionized worker’s pay according to a legal precedent set in 1946 called the Rand Formula. The case involved a strike at a Ford auto manufacturing plant in Windsor, Ontario, by the United Auto Workers. Canadian Court Justice Ivan Rand acted as arbitrator in resolving the issues of the strike. As part of his remedies in the dispute, he established this practice of automatic deduction of dues from the wages of all workers in order to pay the union collectively. Prior to his decision, only signed union members paid dues, but non-members who did not pay still benefited from the union’s negotiated contract. Furthermore, the union had to approach signed members individually to collect dues monthly.
New AESES employees are often asked to become a signed member, and the distinction of signing membership may not be immediately clear. All AESES employees benefit from the provisions of the Collective Agreements negotiated with the employers, and therefore pay union dues, automatically deducted from their pay. Signed membership, however, is voluntary. Signing allows the member to participate fully in union activities (attend certain Association events, such as the annual Members’ Day Lunch, Children’s Winter Holiday Extravaganza, Spring and Fall Education Seminars, and the Annual General Meeting), hold roles on committees, and vote on collective decisions. This distinction ultimately derives from the Rand Formula and the precedent set in 1946.
AESES members currently contribute 1.00% of their gross pay as union dues, as per AESES By-Law 4.1. This rate is among the lowest in Canada. These dues are the way in which members of our bargaining unit collectively fund the work and functions of the union. Your dues provide the necessary funds to retain legal counsel for grievances and arbitration, and to provide education to members. AESES has created a substantial Defence Fund in order to support economic action and to cover legal costs that may arise in our ongoing efforts to defend the rights of our members.
If you are interested in becoming a signed member, please visit our membership information page and submit a membership form.