April Update

Leaving the APSA Board, Mel Brown
Congratulations to Mel Brown on her new role as Director, Faculty & Staff Affairs in the SFU School of Medicine. On behalf of APSA, I’d like to thank Mel for her contributions to the association and the wider SFU community, including her work ensuring the preservation of the SFU Food Pantry following the closure of the Vancouver Office of Community Engagement earlier this year. Mel’s institutional knowledge, professionalism and empathy shone through during her time on the Board, and her contributions will be missed. Thank you, Mel!

Joining the APSA Board, Cindy Woo

Welcome back to Cindy Woo, who has rejoined the APSA Board until the 2025 AGM. Cindy is currently the Manager, Communications and Public Relations in Beedie and is a seasoned APSA volunteer, having previously served as a Director, Vice President, and member on multiple committees. In accordance with section 7.D. of the APSA Bylaws, the Board felt Cindy would bring valuable insight during these uncertain times — and we’re delighted that she has agreed to step up once again. Thank you, Cindy!

New Advocacy Committee Chair, Mike Peragine

Congratulations to Mike Peragine, who the APSA Board has approved as the new Advocacy Committee Chair. Mike currently serves as a Director on the APSA Board and is the Director, Student Recruitment and Admissions in Student Services. Mike’s willingness to take on this role is particularly commendable with a high volume of active advocacy cases and further layoffs looming. Thank you, Mike!

Joint Compensation Review Committee (JCRC)

The JCRC has reached another impasse due to fundamental disagreements between APSA and the University regarding unresolved obligations tied to the 2015 arbitration award and the 2021 mediated settlement. APSA is committed to finding a resolution and will provide updates in the coming weeks. For historical context on this matter, please see here.

Joint Universities Association Committee (JUAC)

Mandated by the 2023 Basic Agreement, the JUAC has resumed regular meetings with the University since January. Based on surveys and member feedback, enshrining hybrid work into policy is a top priority. Our representatives continue to advocate for this and other member priorities whilst promoting meaningful consultation with the University. It is important that APSA members feel trusted by senior leadership, and tangible progress at JUAC would be an effective way to demonstrate this.

APSA/SFU Executive Meeting

Since our last newsletter, the APSA Executive and Executive Director have met with the SFU President, VPPEI, and representatives from Labour Relations and Human Resources for our semesterly meeting. Topics included concerns about senior leadership’s decision-making processes (e.g., around knee-jerk departmental closures), SFU finances, and hybrid work arrangements. SFU also highlighted the new infant/child feeding space at the Vancouver campus, which is now available to APSA members and their little ones.

Bargaining 2025

We anticipate that bargaining will begin in late summer. Before that, members will be invited to complete a bargaining survey to inform the Salary & Benefits Committee and the Board of your top priorities for this cycle. Thank you to everyone who submitted expressions of interest. The Board will soon make appointments to the Committee. More to come.

Job Redefinition and Volunteerism:
If you’ve been asked to take on additional responsibilities – particularly work previously handled by laid-off staff (including those in CUPE roles) – please let the APSA team know. Since last month’s newsletter, additional cases have been reported. Thank you to those who have shared their experiences; this information strengthens our ability to advocate for all staff.

APSA Layoffs:

We’ve been advised that further position eliminations are expected in the coming weeks. Since last month’s update, three more APSA members have been laid off, bringing the total since November 2023 to 69.

Coffee Conversations:

Our next session is tomorrow, April 15th, at the Burnaby campus (Halpern 114) from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Feel free to chat in this informal, confidential setting. APSA Board and staff members will be there to hear what matters to you.

AGM Motion to Investigate Unionisation:

Progress is ongoing, but there are no new updates this month due to more immediate priorities.

Strategic Plan, Policy Review and Committee Terms of Reference:

Same as above – we’ll share any updates as soon as they’re available.

If you have any comments or suggestions for the Board or are interested in learning more about volunteering with APSA, feel free to contact me directly at president@apsacentral.ca.

Cheers,

 

Ben