University of Western Ontario Staff Association

There are a couple of issues I'd like to bring to your attention in this bulletin, including an update on the layoffs which occurred last May. I invite comments, suggestions, or concerns about these (or any) issues. Feel free to contact me by email or phone (519.661.2111 x85041).

Layoff Update

When I last reported statistics to the membership, there were 11 members remaining in the displacement process as a result of the layoffs last May. That number is slightly smaller and now rests at 8. We expect that the number will continue to decrease slightly, but there will continue to be a number of members in displacement for some time to come - certainly into 2010. The number changes very slowly because when a member displaces, a new member is added to the list to replace them (the person displaced). It is only when a member is placed into a vacancy that the total number changes. The good news, in this regard, is that people are being placed into vacancies (though some have made the decision to retire or otherwise leave the University). The number of people actually out of work, at the end of the process, will be dramatically lower than the 28 whose positions were eliminated.

I will provide another update when there is change in the current status; however, it will likely be some time before that happens.

H1N1 Update

While there has been significant H1N1 activity in London recently, the Western community has not seen a dramatic rise in the incidence of the virus. The credit for this likely lies in our collective efforts to reduce the possibility of transmission, and it is important that we continue those efforts. Please see the UWO's H1N1 site for information about H1N1 and the University's response to the pandemic.

Long Service Maximum

For those continuing and sessional members who reached Normal Maximum for their classification on July 1, 2005, the move to Long Service Maximum occurred on November 1 of this year. Please take note of your November pay, when it is issued, to ensure you receive the increase. See Article 45.05 for details regarding Long Service Maximum. Current salary scales can be found in Appendix Z.

Accessibility Sessions

There is new legislation (the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) which imposes new standards on all organizations, including Western. The purpose of the Act is to to remove barriers and achieve accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you are in a position which interacts with students, alumni, retirees, or visitors as part of your role, then you are required to attend a session about these new standards. You should have heard from your manager about this before now. If not, I suggest raising the issue with him or her. Please let the UWOSA office know if you receive a negative response.

Information on the Act may be found here. The registration form for these sessions may be found here.

United Way Campaign

The United Way Campaign is now well underway. If you haven't yet done so, please consider completing your pledge form - the United Way plays a vital role in our community, and the services it funds are in need of help more than ever.

See the United Way website for more information about its work. For more information about Western's campaign, see the campaign site.

Dates to Watch

• Thursday, November 12 - Information Session about Educational Assistance (Article 22) - register here.
• Thursday, November 19 - Information Session - "More Little Known Articles of the Collective Agreement" - register here.
• Thursday, December 10 - UWOSA General Meeting - agenda will be sent the first week of December.
• Saturday, January 30 - 6th Annual UWOSA Retreat - watch for details in late November.