September 2017Canadian Union of Public Employees’ Newsletter- “Bringing Forth Information”

THE SKOPEINLong Service Awards and Retirement Banquet held at the Western Development Museum

June 2, 2017

Sonia Boyko, Clerical Assistant in Research Services enjoys time at Boomtown in the Western Development Museum. Members were given free access to Boom Town prior to and after the banquet. Our photographers were there to capture the moment. One hundred and fourty members attended the banquet which was held at the Butler Buyers Hall at the Western Development Museum.

(Page 7..... Details re Special Pensions Meeting with Mark Janson, CUPE Pension’s expert)

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Long Service Awards and Retirement photos.....................................

Photo credits to JudyAnne Chabun and Peter Beszterda.

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THE PRAIRIE SCHOOL FOR UNION WOMEN - WASKESIU

The Prairie School for Union Women (PSUW) is a non�formal e��non�formal e��ucation program for union women organized through the Saskatch�ewan Federation of Labour, which annually brings together over one hundred union women to explore issues relevant to unions.

On June 11, 2017 women from Saskatchewan and other provinces came together to examine topics from a social justice perspective in a supportive and sharing environ�ment.

During the four days, there were many educational options offered including trade unionism, Aborigi�nal issues, collective bargaining, homophobia, domestic violence in the workplace, disabilities, popular education skills, advocacy, protest, gender dimensions of the work�place, mental health workplace stress, and retirement.

Every morning started with healthy breakfast options, and with our stomachs full and happy we got ready for a day of learning and net�working. All but one supper was included in the package. On-site childcare received great reviews and informal “get - togethers” in the evenings were a welcome ad�dition after compelling and vig�orous activities during the day. I chose the Popular Education Skills for Union Women, a program de�signed for women who want to become facilitators. It is based on popular education philosophy and methods. Both facilitators, Adriane Paavo and Deb Musyka, had the credentials and experience to make this class relevant. We had active discussions and practical applica�tions as well as interviews, peer conversations and reflections. The workshop was intense and focused, and I found it to be an enriching ex�perience for me.

I encourage our local CUPE mem�bers to join in and take part in the next School. Be prepared to be swept away by the knowledge,

comradery and generosity of spirit from the attendees and presenters. PSUW builds women’s leadership and personal development skills as well as increases our capacity for union activism. This program re�mains the only such school just for women in Canada.

Thank you CUPE Local 1975 for giv�ing me the opportunity to attend The Prairie School for Union Wom�en, and for the wisdom to continu�ously support and offer the union women a safe place to learn and network.

Kind regards, Anna Gersher, Uni�versity of Saskatchewan Library.

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Early Assisted Retirement Package

Earlier this year The University of Saskatchewan of�fered eligible CUPE 1975 employees the option of an assisted early retirement package. The program officially commenced on July 3, 2017 and closed at the end of the business day of July 31, 2017. The option was open to CUPE 1975 members that met the eligibility for retirement, or early retirement, as defined by the current Non-Academic Pension plan. The requirements were:

*An employee must be a minimum of 55 years of age, or*Have completed 30 years of pensionable service or,*The combination of age and years of pensionable service equal to 80

If an employee met any of the above requirements they would have received a letter from Human Resources along with an application form inviting them to apply for the Early Retirement package.

Three (3) week’s pay per year of service to a maximum of twelve (12) month’s pay.Payments to be made in a lump sum at the employee’s current base salary (prorated based on FTE), less statutory deductions and can be split over two years.

Those members who were interested were required to submit an application form to the employee’s supervisor, college/unit leader and HR no later than July 31, 2017.

Management provided CUPE with the number of members who took the package along with the Department names. (DO – Dean’s Office)

College/Unit Services 60Arts and Science (DO) 9Agric & Bior – DO 5CHSDO 3Dentistry 4Education (DO) 2Engineering (DO) 1ICT – AVPO 4Kinesiology 2Library 15Medicine (DO) 23People & Residence 8Pharmacy (DO) 2Public Policy 1University Relations 1Vet Med (DO) 14VP Research 1VP Teaching & Learning 18

TOTAL 173

If you are a member who took the package please drop the union an email at cupe1975@sasktel.net. At the time of sending out this newsletter to our members we were not advised which of our members took the package and what their exit date is. We are still trying to receive this information.

For members who have been approved for Assisted Early Retirement please provide a signed copy of the “Application Accepted” letter to the pensions office, Room E180 Administration Building, or send a scanned copy to pensions.inquires@usask.ca.

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M E M O R A N D U M

To: CUPE LOCAL 1975 MEMBERSFrom: Michael Brockbank Returning Officer CUPE Local 1975Date: Oct. 1, 2017Re: ELECTIONS FOR CUPE 1975 EXECUTIVE������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Please note that the following positions are up for renewal. 1st Vice-President Bob Jones is currently in this position (2 year term to 2019)

Treasurer Jeff Theis is currently in this position (2 year term to 2019)

Sergeant- at- Arms Jeff Van De Voord currently in this position (1 year term to 2018)

Grievance Chair Grievance Committee elects its own Chair (1 year term to 2018) (Becomes an Executive member upon Ratification by the Membership) Trustee Donna Borsa is currently in this position (3 year term to 2020)

Any member nominated who allows their name to stand for election must be a member in good standing as set out in Article B.8.3 of the CUPE National Constitution.

If interested in running for any of the above positions, note the following: Nominations shall be made in writing and submitted to the Union Office thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting – (October 30, 2017). Late submissions will not be accepted. Nominations must be accompanied by the signature of the nominating member and the nominee. Nomination forms are located on our website www.cupe1975.ca, or may be picked up at the Union office in Room 21 McLean Hall.

Seven days after nominations close (November 6, 2017) if an election is necessary, a slate of candidates will be sent to the membership. This letter will advise members of voting times, date and location of polling stations. Results will be announced at the Annual General Meeting on November 28,2017 which will be held in Room GB10 Health Sciences Bldg. Newly elected officers will be sworn in at that time.

Elections for the various Extended Executive groups will be held throughout the month of November. Please check the CUPE 1975 website for more details on the locations and times of these elections. If you have any questions regarding this process please phone (966-7015) or email the union office (CUPE1975@sasktel.net).

Sincerely,Returning Officer

ew cope 342

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SPECIAL PENSION MEETINGSWITH MARK JANSON

CUPE NATIONAL PENSION EXPERT

DATE: TUESDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2017

LOCATION: LECTURE THEATRE 1150 HEALTH SCIENCES THEATRE

TIME: FIRST SESSION 12:00 NOON - 1:30 SECOND SESSION: 4:30 PM- 6:00 PM

QUESTIONS AND ANSWER FORMAT

OPEN TO CUPE 1975 MEMBERS

No work time allowed to attend unless approved by your supervisor. Ask to combine lunch and coffee breaks.

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CUPE LOCAL 1975 FALL SOCIAL

Date: Saturday November 18,2017 Location: Sutherland Community Hall

(1112 Central Avenue Saskatoon)

Cocktails: 5:30 pm Supper served: 6:30 pm

(Ukrainian Buffet served by Touch of Ukraine )

Ticket Price: $10.00 per person

(Available at the Union Office Room 21 Mclean Hall or any CUPE 1975 Executive member)

Entertainment and Door prizes Cash Bar- Free cab rides from event

(within Saskatoon city limits)

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Prairie School for Union Women Organized by the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour

From June 11 – 15 approximately 129 sisters descended on the town of Waskesiu to attend the 21st annual Prai�rie School for Union Women. I had the opportunity of attending the workshop, Women in Leadership: Ignit�ing the Spark with facilitators Dana Faul and Lori John. Monday morning, myself and fourteen other partici�pants were split up into five working groups. House�keeping rules were formalized and written up. The facilitators started by presenting a topic, then each working group would do an exercise involving the topic followed by a room discussion where questions could be asked and life experiences would be exchanged.

The first presentation and discussion was about leader�ship myths, what skills are needed to be a good leader and leadership styles and identifying your own style. The three style groups were task force, sensitive and discussion. We then talked about the common ob�stacles women activists and leaders face with a few being family responsibilities, sexist attitudes, sexual harassment, violence and low self-esteem. The after�noon discussion covered the diversity wheel which presented different social factors that impact the ex�periences we have. Tuesday’s discussion kicked off with a quiz about women activists through the ages and an exercise on current challenges to women’s equality in the workplace. Wednesday looked at clos�ing the gender gaps and women in the workplace. As one voice we can make changes. We also talked about different collective agreements. The afternoon covered modes of conflict and conflict resolution by examining different situations that can arise and identifying your own reactions and responses and how personal experi�ences affect responses. Resource material was provid�ed on critical thinking and improving problem solving and consensus decision making; the five union build�ing practices of leadership and public speaking. We talked about how to connect with members and get

members involved by doing fun things and how to get members to volunteer in something they enjoy. Thurs�day morning was spent reviewing and saying good-bye.

The Prairie School for Union Women presented an opportunity to network with women from other unions, have fun and develop personal skills and con�fidence in yourself and help you to find your voice in a safe non judgemental environment. This school is an excellent school to attend if you are interested in learning more about unions or thinking of becoming more involved with our union as volunteer, commit�tee member or to run for a position on the executive.

Submitted by Diane Hess, Library Assistant - Murray Library

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Summary of Events

*On September 24, 2015 the University of Saskatchewan chose to file a grievance against CUPE Local 1975 to challenge our right to have a say on the future of our pension plan.

* T h e E m p l o ye r ’s g r i e va n c e essentially seeks a third party arbitrator to determine if the University can make unilateral changes to the pension plan. In the past, pension changes have been negotiated, as is required by our collective agreement.

The Union will respond to the Employer’s grievance to advocate that any changes to the pension plan will continue to be negotiated at the bargaining table.

*The Union’s own outstanding pension grievance has also now been referred to arbitration. The Local’s grievance was filed in May of 2013 and had been held in abeyance while pension discussions were ongoing.

*It asserts a history of improper employer “contribution holidays” (where pension plan surplus was used to reduce the amount the

University paid into the plan).

To be clear, the Union’s position is that any changes to the pension plan must be negotiated at the bargaining table. We strongly disagree with both the spirit and substance of the University’s grievance. In our view, this is a time-consuming and wasteful proceeding that can only damage labour relations on campus. As we’ve told the University many times: we remain open to discussing the pension plan in the proper forum: the collective bargaining table.

UPDATE ON PENSIONS

SFL - OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY CONFERENCE In September 2017 I attended an Occupational Health & Safety Conference put on by the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour. I attended the Worker’s Compensation Board (WCB) workshop with presenters Colin Byas and Walter Eberle.We received a lot of information about the WCB regarding history, relationships, principles, eligibility, and benefits.It was all very informative but the one thing I found most interesting was learning that there is The Office of the Worker’s Advocate (OWA). The OWA provides free and independent services to injured workers and their families when dealing with the WCB.

Anyone who has ever been injured on the job and has had their claim denied will appreciate their help going through the appeal process. For more information on the OWA, you can go to their website:http://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/safety-in-the-workplace/assistance-for-wcb-claims-and-appeals.If you are injured at work:. see a health care professional immediately if you need medical care. report your injury immediately to your supervisor. report your injury to the WCBMore information can be found on the WCB website: http://www.wcbsask.com/

All handouts that I received at the conference will be housed at the CUPE office in McLean Hall and available to anyone who would like to see them.

Ginny CherepachaCUPE Clerical Rep

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UNIONS ON CAMPUS PUT ON 2ND ANNUAL PANCAKE BREAKFAST

On Sept. 7th, CUPE Local 1975, USFA (Faculty Association), ASPA, Sessional Lecturers Union 3287, Resident Doctors of Saskatchewan, and PSAC, once again joined forces and finances to put on the Welcome Week Free Pancake Breakfast.

The event was very well attended. The weather cooperated this year and as a result we were able to see a very large crowd come for breakfast of pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee.

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Return:Rm 21 McLean Hall106 Wiggins RoadSaskatoon, Sask. S7N 5E6

Visit CUPE Local 1975 website at: www.cupe1975.ca

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP DATES, TIMES AND LOCATIONS FOR 2017-2018

September 26, 2017 12:00 - 1:00 Health Sciences Bldg. GB10

October 24, 2017 12:00 - 1:00 Health Sciences Bldg. GB10

November 28, 2017 12:00 - 1:00 Health Sciences Bldg. GB10(If an election needs to be held for Table officers then this time will move to 4:30 pm)

December 19,2017 12:00 - 1:00 Check Website Room TBA

January 23, 2018 12:00 - 1:00 1150 Lecture Theatre Health Sciences

February 27, 2018 12:00 - 1:00 1150 Lecture Theatre Health Sciences

March 27, 2018 12:00 - 1:00 1150 Lecture Theatre Health Sciences

April 24, 2018 12:00 - 1:00 Check Website Room TBA

May 22, 2018 12:00 - 1:00 Check Website Room TBA

June 26, 2018 12:00 - 1:00 Check Website Room TBA