University of Western Ontario Staff Association

This will be a brief bulletin, but I would like to provide an update on the displacement process, as well as remind members about a couple of other things. I invite comments, suggestions, or concerns about these (or any) issues. Feel free to contact me by email or phone (x85041).

Displacement/Layoff Update

The number of members now remaining in the displacement process is 14 (down from the 21 I reported in my June 29 Bulletin). The UWO has placed a number of members into vacant jobs, and there are still vacancies for which members in displacement are being considered. However, the UWO has also begun the displacement process in some cases (where there is no suitable vacant job available). However, it is becoming clear the number of displacements will be much smaller than initially thought. We have been told to expect that most of the members in displacement will see the process complete in the next 4-6 weeks.

Join A UWOSA Committee

UWOSA has a number of standing committees, each with a specific area of responsibility. All members are eligible for sit on these committees, and they are a great way to have an impact on how your Union runs. There is a list of committees, along with contact information for their chairs, at http://uwosa.ca/committees/standing.

Reminders & Events to Come

• The deadline for submissions for the 9th Annual Photo Contest is Friday, September 4. If you haven't yet entered, don't forget to do so! Details about the contest can be found on the website at: http://www.uwosa.ca/notices/photo_contest.
• As usual, UWOSA will offer a series of noon-hour Collective Agreement Information Sessions in the fall. Watch for details in your inbox in the next couple of weeks. If you have specific suggestions about topics you would like to see included, please let me know.
• The Negotiations Committee, which has been meeting since May under the leadership of Vice President Deb Novakowski, is preparing a survey of members' priorities and suggestions for bargaining in 2010. It is important for the committee to hear from you, and I urge you to complete the survey. Watch your inbox in late September!