SAFA weekly update to Membership – April 12, 2021
SAIT and SAFA’s initial meeting on March 31st involved establishing protocols, meeting processes, and a preliminary exchange of documents. Members of the Negotiating Committee for SAFA include Al Brown (Chief Negotiator), Ken Upton, Earl Simpson, Adrienne Jones, Jessica Norman, and Blair Howes (SAFA President). Members of the bargaining team for SAIT administration include Jody Fraser, Bengt Northwood, Janet Segato, Lisa Barrett, Amy Dowd, and Lindsay Crocket.
A summary of SAFA’s opening proposal to SAIT can be reviewed online. The Negotiating Committee is currently reviewing the document that SAIT submitted and will provide comments once analysis is complete.
SAFA will next meet with SAIT on April 28th, with future meetings occurring approximately every 2 weeks (schedules permitting). We expect to provide updates to members on a monthly schedule. General information about the bargaining process, as well as future updates, can be found on the SAFA website.
Get Your Updates from the Right Source!
We are aware of the new SAIT bargaining page that launched last week. We want to remind members that SAFA first posted information about the bargaining process this past fall at https://safacalgary.com/negotiations/bargaining-process/. We will continue to update this section as relevant topics arise.
Always remember that SAFA is your agent in negotiations, and you should look to the SAFA website for current, relevant, and accurate information about what is occurring during this process. If you have questions about interactions with the employer (SAIT) around the negotiations process, contact Al Brown, SAFA Labour Relations Officer.
Spring/Summer Semesters – Questions about Vacation and Work Schedules
As we approach spring & summer semester, instructors are telling SAFA that there is much uncertainty around vacation days, course loading, and work schedules. Remember that SAFA is here to support and fight for you whether adjunct, contract, or full time. Our Collective Agreement still provides standards and protections in these uncertain times. If you feel that your workload, work hours, or other duties assigned may violate our agreement – please contact SAFA to talk about it!
Also, remember that last year’s Vacation LoU dates have expired and are no longer in effect. If you feel pressured by anyone to take this year’s vacation allotment, email [email protected] ASAP to learn about your rights. SAFA is in talks with SAIT to document new procedures around summer vacation, but there is no replacement LoU at this time.
Communication is Vital in Uncertain Times
If you have not yet had a chance to submit a non-SAIT email for alternative communications, please do so now online. It is important that the Association have this information on file in the event of a job action or work stoppage. Please note – this is just a matter of preparedness and is not in any way related to the current state of negotiations. Thank you to all members who have taken the time to provide their non-SAIT email address.
Save the Date: Upcoming Events
- SAFA elections will occur in May, concluding on May 13, 2021. Open positions include Academic Council representatives and a Board of Governor representative. If you did not receive the email last week, please contact [email protected]
- The Annual General Meeting will be June 10, 2021 at 4:00pm. Information about the online event will be sent in May.