In 2023 and 2024, the Canadian and American job market faced a large number of job layoffs, and SFU was no exception. In May, SFU laid off approximately 100+ workers, which included people from APSA, CUPE, TSSU and APEX. For the APSA members who lost their jobs, many were caught off guard by the lay offs and didn't feel treated like valuable employees of SFU. Their treatment, as reported to us, felt as if they were being fired for cause and not position eliminated for reasons beyond their control.

APSA and SFU are currently confirming that we are both working with the correct Basic Agreement document with all the agreed upon and mediated changes. The Board of Governors for SFU have agreed to the mediated recommendations and we will be announcing further information sessions and voting dates to ratify the changes to APSA's Basic Agreement with SFU. Please look out for any further communications on this in your email.

Please warmly welcome these new APSA members who have joined us in the past month.   Backer, Rachel Agritech Partnerships Manager          New to SFU SFU Partnerships Hub VPR VP Research Summary   Barba Lorenzo, Maria Coordinator, Faculty Affairs   

SFU Budget On April 16, the University sent a message to all staff on their financial challenges and presented their forecasted balanced budget for 2024-2025 in their 2024–25 Budget Book. SFU has released their actuals for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, which we are including here. 

What Happened with the 2023-2024 Budget?

Each month, our Advocacy Committee answers your questions about the AD 10 policies (aka, your terms and conditions of employment.) Hello. I’m Mike Peragine, an advocate on APSA’s Advocacy Committee. On behalf of the Committee, I’m answering your question about ESA manager versus non-manager classifications.  

APSA is holding a member appreciation event! Come gather together and chat with the APSA board, staff and each other! This event is open to all APSA members. Date: Thursday, August 8, 2024 Time: 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Location: The Study, Burnaby Campus If you're interested in attending, please register here.

You must submit these receipts from 2023 by June 30, 2024, to get reimbursed for prescription drugs and other extended health.

Please warmly welcome these new APSA members who have joined us in the past month.   Amin, Jay Dipenkumar Coordinator, Operations & Guest Services Temporary Promotion Residences      Associate VP, Students   Chaudhary, Vinisha Coordinator, Research Grants & Projects

SFU Budget On April 16, the University sent a message to all staff on their financial challenges and presented their forecasted balanced budget for 2024-2025 in their 2024–25 Budget Book. SFU has released their actuals for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, which we are including here. 

APSA and SFU negotiated the Basic Agreement from January 15 to 19 and February 1 and were in mediation from April 15 to 17. Chris Sullivan, the mediator, released mediated recommendations on May 16, which the APSA board of directors approved. The amendments will now go to the APSA members for ratification.

A Question of Trust June 11, 2024

June Update

Tess Williams, a former APSA board director, is a member of Vancouver's Rainbow Week of Action organizing committee. You can learn more about this upcoming event on May 17, which is also the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

Please warmly welcome these new APSA members who have joined us in the past month.   FitzGerald, Sylvia         Research Project Manager     New to SFU Research Operations  VPR VP, Research Summary   Khoo, Peter     Business Analyst        

SFU Budget On April 16, the University sent a message to all staff on their financial challenges and presented their forecasted balanced budget for 2024-2025 in their 2024–25 Budget Book.

Each month, the Advocacy Committee answers your questions about the AD 10 policies (aka, your terms and conditions of employment.)

Self-care through Difficult Times May 10, 2024 Many of you continue to struggle with low workplace morale and deep concerns about layoffs.

May Update

Many members expressed further interest in more flexibility where they can do their work, whether at home or in the office. Members also expressed the need for improvements in health care and dental benefits.  

Please warmly welcome these new APSA members who have joined us in the past month. Bergner, Steven Associate Director, Data Analytics      Additional Job Big Data Hub   VPR VP Research Summary   Chen, Debbie  Junior Business Analyst          New Appointment

SFU Budget APSA, along with other SFU employee groups, received communication from SFU about the need to make operational changes. They further announced administrative job losses and a voluntary separation program, which APSA was not consulted on in terms of its development. We will pursue all avenues available to prevent any job loss to members. 

Learn more at: https://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/administrativ…

Our dedicated volunteers have worked tirelessly on behalf of you, our members! Their time involves attending committee meetings, creating proposals, writing negotiation points, meeting with senior administration and defending members via phone calls, email and in person.

A Little, but Not a Lot on SFU’s Budget and Involuntary Layoffs April 11, 2024

April Update

APSA received an official letter from SFU this morning (Wednesday, March 6, 2024), outlining the $50 million shortfall announced by SFU's Chief Budget Officer and Vice president of Finance on January 31st. Despite not apparently filing for deficit approval as per our February 2024 bulletin, the University is requesting to meet with APSA and relayed notice that SFU intends to restructure organizational operations, potentially leading to a significant number of job losses for APSA staff. 

We are saddened to announce that after almost eleven years working for APSA, Angela Vass will be leaving APSA and her role as senior labour relations officer for a fantastic opportunity at the BC Nurses Union.

Please warmly welcome these new APSA members who have joined us in the past month.   Andrews, Dana Special Projects Manager New to SFU MED Office of the Dean Medical School   Berezhnova, Darya Coordinator Research & Reporting New to Group

SFU Budget APSA, along with other SFU employees, received communication from SFU about the need to make operational changes. They further announced administrative job losses and a voluntary separation program, which APSA was not consulted on. We will pursue all avenues available to prevent any job loss to members. We will inform you of any announcements after our meeting on Thursday, March 7, 2024. 

Each month, our advocates answer your questions about workplace challenges, the AD 10 policies, and how they’re applied. Questions? Submit them anonymously here. These questions will be answered in a monthly advocacy corner issue. For an immediate answer, please contact APSA.

Budget Cuts and Your Stories, Part II March 6, 2024

Dear APSA: Thank you for your Direct Impact on Food Insecurity at SFU. By Chris Yakimov & Tara Flynn

Although Black history in Canada should be considered, discussed and celebrated all year, February is a good time to remind us of the need to reflect on Black history in Canada and how these stories were an integral part of this nation’s growth and development. 

February Update

Please warmly welcome these new APSA members who have joined us in the past month. Beres, Kyle WriteAway Writing Services Coordinator       New to SFU ELN Operation     Library and BC ELN   Chan, Ian Agriculture Engineering Consultant New to HR or Academic Groups

SFU Budget SFU has published their third quarter financials in the Financial Committee for the BoG, which we are including here. Of note, SFU must file for deficit approval to the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills by the end of the second quarter. To date, SFU does not appear to have made such a filing — there have certainly been no public announcements that the University has done so.

Budget Cuts and Your Stories February 7, 2024