Hello everyone,
No matter how many years go by, I always have this odd thought as September rolls around: "Time to go back to school!" Once, a few years ago, I even woke up out of a dream and jumped out of bed, thinking that I was going to be late for my first day of classes. It's a feeling, I think, that's been so trained into us from our earliest school days that it's hard to forget.
All this is to say that I'd like to welcome you to SFU for the fall semester of 2022! I hope that you had some time for vacation and family this summer, too.
Here in APSA, our salary and benefits team is busily preparing for the next round of bargaining. I know it might seem like the last round of negotiations just ended, but, well, another round is here. We're anticipating beginning bargaining in the spring. Prior to this, we'll need to resolve our grievance with the University about what items are open for negotiation to ensure that we have more certainty at the bargaining table. We're expecting that this grievance will be resolved at arbitration later this fall, if not sooner.
For those of you thinking of volunteering for APSA, please do consider running for a position on our board. This is a great way to help APSA members, help guide the Association's future and, of course, meet many like-minded colleagues from across the University's campuses. Lakshmi Gosyne, our communications coordinator, will be sending out nomination news in this newsletter.
You may have also noticed that I haven't mentioned COVID up until now. It's hard to know how the pandemic will develop (or not) through the fall. Still, it's important to continue to follow the provincial government's guidelines, remain at home if you have symptoms and strongly consider your booster shots, as they're available. I know that I'm waiting for a chance to get mine.
Welcome and best wishes for your fall!
Andrew