Anti-Racism Film Series
ESA Negotiating Update
The teams representing the Board and ULFA met to begin negotiating a new Essential Services Agreement (ESA) Tuesday December 8th. Each new Collective Agreement requires a new ESA. ULFA proposed in writing to the Board that the ESA should be negotiated at a second table beginning before negotiations on the CA resume in January. In the same letter, ULFA provided the names of our team members (Locke Spencer, Dawn McBride, Rumi Graham, Olu Awosoga, and Rob Sutherland (Chair)). In response the Board provided the names of their team members (Scott Harling (Chair), Jennifer Copeland, and Carolin Cattoi-Demkiw) and a date to begin was agreed upon. At that first meeting the Chair of the Board’s team, Mr. Scott Harling, indicated that he did not feel that a sufficient notice to bargain had been received by the Board. After a short discussion, it was agreed that ULFA would send another notice, this time under the title “Notice to Bargain”. ULFA agreed to prepare a new and complete ESA for discussion at the next negotiation session (TBD).
Retired: Now What?
Register at
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrf-2uqDkuGtWvM4d9Fuh8miBWdzQSX80G
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Instructions for ULRASA & ULFA Zoom event
Rob Sutherland Recipient of the CAUT Dedicated Service Award
ULFA is thrilled to present the CAUT Dedicated Service Award to Rob Sutherland!
Dr. Sutherland has provided, and continues to provide, exceptional service to the University of Lethbridge, the University of Lethbridge Faculty Association, and post-secondary education in general – at both the local and provincial levels. He continues to be a particularly dedicated member that serves our organization and sector with integrity and distinction. As one of ULFA’s Past President’s wrote (Dr. Bryson Brown) “Rob’s academic work speaks for itself, and his commitment to the association and the time he’s given to it, have been absolutely outstanding. He’s a wonderful representative of academic values and accomplishment.” Our current Chief Negotiator/Vice President Dr. Dan O’Donnell stated the following “Rob is a hugely important part of the Bargaining Team and has been absolutely crucial in our last three rounds of negotiations.” At the local level: Dr. Sutherland has been involved with ULFA since the 1990s. More currently, here is a list of the different roles that he’s served within association:
• 2006-2007: Chair, Academic Welfare Committee
• 2008-2009: Vice President, President Nominee
• 2009-2010: Vice President, President Nominee
• 2010-2011: President
• 2011-2012: President
• 2012-2013: Past President
• 2013-2014: Past President
• 2014-2015: Past President
• 2015-2016: Past President
• 2016-2017: Study Leave
• 2018-2019: Chair, Economic Benefits Committee; Member, Negotiating Team; Chair, Essential Services Agreement Negotiating Team
• 2019-2020: Chair, Bargaining Resource Committee; Chair, Essential Services Agreement Negotiating Team
• 2020-2021: Chair, Bargaining Resource Committee; Member, Negotiating Team At the provincial level, the Confederation of Alberta Faculty Association (CAFA) provided the following commentary about Dr. Sutherland’s service contributions:
• Dr. Rob Sutherland served as the CAFA President for three years, 2013, 2014 and 2015. Prior to this he was the Vice-President of the organization from 2010-2012. He continued his service to CAFA with a following two years as past president 2016 and 2017. Prior to his involvement as a CAFA Officer he served as the ULFA representative on CAFA Council from 2008 – 2009. His total CAFA involvement was from 2008 – 2017! Rob was an extremely active CAFA President 2 during his presidency PSE took a huge cut (yes, history does repeat itself) which spurred CAFA to undertake its largest province wide public relations campaign highlighting the importance of Alberta Universities. CAFA took credit for the restoration of $50 million to the PSE budget immediately following our campaign! Rob was named one of the Top 40 Albertans for his work with CAFA promoting Advanced Education. During his time Rob took part in a number of conversations with Dave Taylor a talk radio host in Calgary – Rob engaged Albertan’s and got the attention of many regarding the importance of university research. Rob met with many government officials over his time with CAFA and was always well received and provided them with insight that made a difference. People just seemed to listen to Rob. His thoughtfulness and insights were appreciated at all levels We are so appreciative of Dr. Sutherland’s dedication and commitment over the years to serving his faculty association and would like to see him be formally recognized.
He is truly one of a kind and we are deeply grateful!
ULFA MOU Travel Fund for Online Teaching
ULFA has signed an MOU with the employer regarding use of the Article 29 Travel Fund for September 2020 to March 2021.
Sessional and term instructors, who do not have access to a professional supplement by the employer, can receive up to $500 in reimbursements from the Travel Fund for eligible costs related to the move to online instruction. See 6b of the MOU for eligible expenses and 6c for excluded expenses.
If you are currently teaching Fall 2020, but not employed for next Spring Semester, the deadline to submit expenses to Financial Services is December 16th, 2020.
If you are teaching in Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 Semester the deadline to submit expenses is February 15, 2021.
Please note, only one expense claim will be reimbursed per eligible claimant.
Any unused monies in the Travel Fund will roll over to be added to the March 31, 2021 to June 30, 2022 Travel Fund period.
If you have any questions please contact ULFA Staff.
Read the MOU in detail here.
The Dangers of Navitas – Canadian Federation of Students
Since the late 1980s, Canada has progressively shifted from a publicly-funded to a publicly-assisted, system of post-secondary education. For decades, international students have been used as ATMs to cushion budget lines while institutions continue to source easier and more ‘efficient’ methods for revenue.
Enter, Navitas.
Navitas is a growingly popular privatized pathway system that relieves the international student recruitment pressure from universities. Originating from Australia, Navitas was introduced to Canada in 2006 with partnerships at Simon Fraser University (SFU) and the University of Manitoba (UofM). Until recently, no further partnerships were secured until Ryerson University signed a contract in September of 2020.
Read full post here.