January Update
Welcome back to the start of a new year at SFU! I hope you’ve had a chance to rest and recharge with those close to you. A few updates for you:
- The new board will meet for its first planning meeting this month, so I encourage you to reach out to any current board members with your thoughts on what you want to see in the year ahead.
- Many groups are in active bargaining this year. APSA will begin negotiations the week of January 12, so I thank those committee members for all of their planning and preparation to this point. Updates to follow as we make progress.
- We are keenly aware that dozens of APSA and other SFU staff will be taking early retirement, but only a fraction of those will be hired to replace them. Beyond that, the University has communicated well enough the desire to limit overtime (banked and paid out), with managers receiving guidance to ensure APSA members are not routinely working beyond the 7.2-hour workday. This doesn’t quite add up. If you are experiencing the ongoing pinch of these decisions, please let us know so we can advocate for you.
- I am looking forward to meeting with Yabome this month and to engaging with the employer in routine meetings. In my role as President, with many new board members, we have some work ahead to build relationships and hold meaningful meetings.
If you have any comments or suggestions you’d like to share with the board, please don’t hesitate to e-mail me at president@apsacentral.ca.
Take good care, folks.
Christopher