Nov/Dec 2019

MACEWAN UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY OBJECTS TO SEVERE CUTS

The MacEwan Staff Association, the Students’ Association of MacEwan University and Grant MacEwan University Faculty Association have put out a public statement uniting in opposition to Let it snow, the severe 7.9% cut to MacEwan University’s Campus Alberta Grant let it snow, from the provincial government. Read the full statement on page six. let it snow.

“These substantial cuts, which will likely be repeated in the coming years, put the support systems that students rely on at risk. Custodians, support staff, and all the non-academic staff at MacEwan help our students thrive and make MacEwan University a great place to learn.”

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Congratulations ...... 2 Presidents’ Message ...... 2 Bargaining Update ...... 3 Upcoming Events ...... 4 Vacation Carry-Forward .... 5 Public Statement ...... 6 MSA Website Launch ...... 7 Join the Resistance ...... 7 Corporate Program ...... 8

MSA members marched to the legislature on November 18 in solidarity with SAMU to raise concerns about the new provincial budget. Pictured: Harry Oosterhoff, MSA Executive Director; Lee-Ann Jeffrey, MSA Vice-President and Britany Thiessen, MSA Labour Relations Generalist CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to Christine Valentine, MSA Member Representative on receiving her master’s degree in Educational Policy Studies with a major in Educational Administration and Leadership from the University of Alberta.

Congratulations to Carolynn Kane on the birth of her new granddaughter Leah Carolyn Laurinat. She was born November 26, 12:37pm, weighing in at 5lbs, 1oz. Leah was premature by six weeks but is doing very well.

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR PRESIDENT Thank you to everyone who attended our fall general meeting and dinner on November 27th. We had over 230 members in attendance. Thank you to the MSA office staff for organizing this successful event. It was a wonderful opportunity for us all to come together.

Budgetary cutbacks have created uncertainty in Alberta. I want to ensure you that MSA is working hard on your behalf to mitigate this difficult economic situation. A highlight of our actions include:

• MSA now has scheduled bi-weekly meetings with Human Resources to discuss 2019-2020 ways to minimize the budgetary impacts on our members.

MSA BOARD • MSA has monthly meetings with John McGrath, Acting President and Craig Monk, Provost and Vice-President Academic to discuss the University’s plans moving forward.

Donna-Mae Winquist, President • MSA meets regularly with the University of Alberta’s Non-Academic Staff Association and the Mount Royal Staff Association to address issues of mutual Lee-Ann Jeffrey, Vice-President concern. We are exploring the option of a coalition. Celine Miller, Secretary/Treasurer Shawna Charles, Professional • MSA is staying in contact with government representatives. We had a recent Development Chair meeting with David Eggen, MLA and Critic for Advanced Education, and Sarah Butler, Member Rep attended a CIRA meeting with Jason Copping, Minister of Labour and Sarah Fee, Member Rep Immigration and are hoping to schedule a private meeting in the new year. Suzanne Fournier, Member Rep

Davi Grossi, Member Rep • MSA stands in solidarity with other unions. We believe there is a strength in voices united. We attend events with the Canadian Industrial Relations Shawn Jansen, Member Rep Association, Public Interest Alberta and the Alberta Federation of Labour. MSA Christine Valentine, Member Rep marched to the legislature in solidarity with SAMU and attended the AFL’s Nina Delling, Board of Governors Rep “Join the Resistance” town hall held at MacEwan on December 2, 2019.

Interested members are welcome to take part in similar opportunities. They will MSA Office Staff be posted on our website underneath the News section.

Harry Oosterhoff Executive Director | 780.497.5149 We acknowledge that many of you are feeling anxiety. We encourage you to take

Cathy Pruden care of yourselves and reach out if you need support. You can take advantage of our Office Manager | 780.497.5697 Employee Family Assistance Program, and as well, psychologists are covered under our benefit plan. And of course, our door is always open at the MSA office if you Nicole Moeller Admin Assistant | 780.497.5697 have questions or concerns. Britany Thiessen | 780.497.4032 We are in challenging times, but it is important we continue to acknowledge and Labour Relations Generalist celebrate your work and accomplishments. Your dedication and work ethic are what make our University strong. I want to thank each of you and extend holiday greetings to all of you on behalf of the MSA Board and staff. 2 Donna-Mae Winquist, President We acknowledge that the land on which we gather in Treaty Six MSA DEPENDENT SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS Territory is the traditional gathering Congratulations to the following recipients: place for many -Sarah Climaco, daughter of Jennifer Climaco in Accounts Receivable Indigenous people. We -Lauren Miller, daughter of Celine Miller in Office of General Counsel honour and respect the -Mateo Skeljo, son of Sandra Skeljo in Accounts Receivable history, languages, -Liane Tse, daughter of Yvonne Tse in Nursing ceremonies and culture of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit who And don’t forget— there is still time to apply for the MSA Financial call this territory home. Award for Members. MSA will award four (4) scholarships of up to $500 to signed members who are enrolled in a credit or non-credit course. Deadline: Feb. 15. Download a form here.

Bargaining Introducing the members of the 2020 Negotiations Committee:

Lee-Ann Jeffrey Ramona Korpan Celine Miller Heather Molzan Britany Thiessen Harry Oosterhoff Chair

Bargaining for the new collective agreement will begin in the new year. But there is still time to have your voice heard. The Negotiations Committee is currently putting together a bargaining survey and need your input on what questions and issues you would like asked of the membership. Email your ideas to: [email protected].

MSA members have been sending in their creative solutions to budget cutbacks. As was mentioned in the fall general meeting, we welcome all ideas. Please continue to send them to [email protected].

3 Upcoming Events

DID YOU KNOW? MSA Inservice The Access to University Learning Activities Fund is available to all How to Become Outrageously Happy MacEwan University employees and Realize the astonishing number one obstacle to your happiness and discover what provides employees with up to you can do to grow a happier brain. December 19, 9:00 a.m. - noon OR $1,100 per fiscal year (July 1 to June 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Register now! 30) to cover tuition fees for scheduled MacEwan University learning activities. The Access to University Learning Activities Fund MSA Tidbit Café can only be used toward tuition fees. Gnome or Wreath Making Workshop Special fees, material fees, and costs associated with textbooks and other Get crafty for the holidays! On December 19, Two Buds Floral Artistry will supplies must be paid by the provide MSA members with a choice of two holiday crafts - a festive gnome or employee. Xmas wreath. Cost for the workshop is $30, to be paid by December 13.

See poster for photos and more information.

Curious about what Professional Development Opportunities are available to you? You can find out by Technology Training logging into www.mymacewan.ca Basic Principles of Webex Meetings and navigating to‘ Professional Development’! This will allow you Curious about how you can take advantage of Webex Meetings? Join in for a basic the opportunity to learn more about overview of the different types of meetings and how you can take the in’s & outs of your Professional advantage of them. This session will be presented online using Webex meetings. Development choices. Register for the December 18 session: http://bit.ly/2l5zNEy

Community Tour of Rebellious: Alberta Women Artists of the 1980s Join MSA member Renee Peevey as she leads a tour at the Art Gallery of Alberta on December 12th. Renee and union activist Vicky Beauchamp take us back to the 1986 Gainers strike that paralyzed the province for 214 days, and share their thoughts on the making of a movement. With vivid memories of the battle of 66 Street, and one of the most violent strikes in the history of Alberta, they will share with visitors their own experience fighting back against pressure and intimidation, while reflecting on current exhibition Rebellious and the centennial celebration of the 1919 General Strike. Click here for more information and bios of Renee and Vicky Beauchamp.

Free as part of an All Access Thursday at the Art Gallery of Alberta December 12, 6-7pm (2nd floor) Maximum tour capacity is 30 people - come early to make sure you get a spot!

4 VACATION CARRY-FORWARD At year end we get multiple questions from our members about the vacation carry- forward that is permitted; there seems to be some misunderstanding about how this works.

1. Vacation earned in one year must typically be taken the following year. Although you are not required to wait until next year to take the vacation that you earned this year, you are permitted to carry a balance of vacation time from this year into next year.

2. How much vacation balance may I accumulate from one year to the next? The balance of unused vacation at the end of the calendar and/or fiscal year should be less than your yearly accrual. For example, if you are earning 3 weeks of vacation per year, your balance of unused vacation at the end of the year should be 105 hours or less. If you are earning 4 weeks of vacation per year, your balance of unused vacation at the end of the year should be 140 hours or less*.

Years of Service Vacation Accrual Balance Allowed at

Up to 3 years 15 days (3 weeks) 105 hours

4 – 9 years 20 days (4 weeks) 140 hours

10 – 15 years 25 days (5 weeks) 175 hours

16 years + 30 days (6 weeks) 210 hours

*Based on full-time equivalent.

3. Will I lose my earned vacation time if I have more than the allowable carry- forward? No, “use it or lose it” vacation policies are not permitted under Canadian law or our collective agreement. If you have unused vacation balances, the University requires that you plan with your manager on how and when you will use it. You should request approval for taking the vacation that is owed to you as soon as possible. If you do not create an approved plan for using time that is in excess of the allowable balances specified above, the University is permitted to enforce you to take vacation time off at their convenience. If the University does not provide time off for you (either at a time of your choosing or theirs), they must pay out the excess accrued vacation time.

5 MACEWAN UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY OBJECTS TO SEVERE CUTS Largest cut in post-secondary sector will impact quality and affordability.

A joint statement from the Students’ Association of MacEwan University, MacEwan Staff Association, and Grant MacEwan University Faculty Association.

EDMONTON – The Students’ Association of MacEwan University (SAMU), the MacEwan Staff Association (MSA), and the Grant MacEwan University Faculty Association are united in opposition to the severe 7.9% cut to MacEwan University’s Campus Alberta Grant from the provincial government. This cut will have serious impacts on the university community. That is why our three associations will be marching to the Legislature at noon on Nov. 18, 2019.

Accessibility to Alberta post-secondary will be seriously jeopardized by the decisions made in Budget 2019. Increasing student loan interest rates, the axing of the education and tuition tax credits and the potential for tuition to be increased 7% annually for three years will turn people away without new serious financial resources for students in need. Additionally, while recent developments in jobs programs for STEM students is a good thing, the elimination of the STEP program takes money out of the pockets of thousands of students.

With significant cuts to government grants, students will be expected to carry the burden of financial viability through dramatic tuition increases to accommodate for these cuts. Without any new spending, the funds previously used in tax credits should be transitioned into needs-based up-front grants.

These substantial cuts, which will likely be repeated in the coming years, put the support systems that students rely on at risk. Custodians, support staff and all the non-academic staff at MacEwan help our students thrive and make MacEwan University a great place to learn. Budget cuts also place a higher workload on faculty, with larger class sizes and fewer resources at their disposal. Balanced budgets should not come at the expense of our schools or students.

Further, the Grant MacEwan University Faculty Association, which represents over 1,000 academic staff members is concerned about how students can be successful without the financial supports and support staff working for their success. The youth and their parents, our future generation cannot be made to carry the burden of the austerity measures being implemented by this government. We hope that short-term economic goals do not outweigh strategic long-term thinking about the value of the postsecondary education sector.

Investing in Alberta’s learners and their places of learning is needed to develop a strong economy and healthy communities. We call upon the Minister of Advanced Education to reconsider the severity of the cuts to MacEwan University and work to establish needs-based grants from monies saved from tax credits to improve post-secondary accessibility.

Ryley Osadchuk Students’ Association of MacEwan University President

Dr. Rafat Alam Grant MacEwan University Faculty Association President

Donna-Mae Winquist MacEwan Staff Association President

6 MSA HAS LAUNCHED A NEW WEBSITE! WWW.MACEWANSTAFF.CA MSA has launched a new website with easier navigation and a stronger focus on members. Download a collective agreement, get up-to-date information on professional MSA Office Closure development, benefits, assistance and more. New features include: The MSA office will • Responsive theme makes the site more accessible on tablets and smart phones be closed for the • Easily book an appointment with labour relations staff or send in your holidays from questions and comments December 23rd to • Login portal for member-only content January 1st. • ‘News’ section features up-to-date important information for members We look forward to • ‘Labour News’ features recent decisions and up-to-date news of interest to reopening on unionized workers in the Alberta; this includes a direct news feed from the Alberta January 2nd. Federation of Labour

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Front Page Services News

Join the Resistance Town Hall MSA MSA attended the Resistance Town Hall held at MacEwan University on Dec 2, 2019 from Member Discounts 6:30 - 8:30 pm in the Multi-Purpose Room presented by the Alberta Federation of Edmonton Oilers Labour. It was good to see some of our Board and membership in attendance to become VS. informed of the issues with the budget cuts from the provincial government and the Las Vegas Golden Knights potential impact on working people and the economy. We encourage all our members to become informed, engage in the conversation and share your perspective with the It’s MacEwan University government. Staff Night at Roger’s Place! On March 9, 2020, you can join your fellow MSA members to cheer on the Edmonton Oilers. Tickets start at $59 + fees.

Purchase today at EdmontonOilers.com/ MacEwanStaff.

7 CORPORATE PROGRAM

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