Pathways (Navitas) Joint Town Hall
October 28, 1 PM on Zoom. Registration information below.
The University of Lethbridge Students’ Union (ULSU), the University of Lethbridge Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) and the University of Lethbridge Faculty Association (ULFA) are inviting all members to attend virtually a Joint Town Hall about a proposed private-public partnership between the UofL and Navitas, an Australian educational services company.
Navitas is a for-profit, multinational corporation that recruits foreign students for universities around the world, focusing particularly on students who require remedial support before they would be eligible for admission to the client university. A plan circulated by Navitas on campus last week proposes building a two year remedial college on the Calgary campus. After two years, students would then transfer to second year in Lethbridge.
Representatives from the ULSU, GSA and ULFA have formed a working group to explore this partnership, its potential problems, opportunities, and alternatives, as the UofL seeks to increase their recruitment of international students. The intent of this town hall is to share our findings to date and hear from our respective memberships as to what this partnership means to you.
Oct 28, 2020 01:00 PM on Zoom. Registration required.
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7U1LeAWjQnS1Pwoc6mxf_Q
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Bargaining update October 12, 2020
Representatives of ULFA and the Board of Governors met on October 12, 2020. The purpose of the meeting was to allow the Board of Governors team to clarify their presentation of the Articles they intended to open.
Prior to the meeting, representatives of the Board contacted the ULFA chief spokesperson in order to express reservations about an ULFA proposal to invite Members to observe bargaining. This is a continuation of a practice that was begun during the last round of negotiations and is intended to develop interest and familiarity in the bargaining process as a way of ensuring succession and diversity on future negotiating teams.
The issue came up again at the beginning of the October 12 negotiating session. After some discussion it was decided that we would move on and that the Board would proceed to discuss the articles they wished to present.
In their presentation, the Board indicated that they are interested in achieving gains in what they described as areas of “financial sustainability” and “flexibility.” In several cases, these appeared to be opposed to items in the ULFA mandate, suggesting that this may be a difficult round of negotiations involving significant give-and-take on both sides.
At the end of the Board’s presentation, discussion turned to next steps. In light of the certainty that tradeoffs will be required, ULFA’s team indicated a desire to discuss “money” (i.e. salary and benefits) and “language” (i.e. terms and conditions) in parallel. This ensures that negotiations are meaningful, because both sides are able to understand the tradeoffs required in reaching agreement.
The Board indicated that they were not authorised to discuss financial matters at this point and, as a matter of “tradition” and principle, preferred to reserve their positions on financial matters, once they were authorised to discuss them, until after negotiations on language were completed.
In ULFA’s view, the Board’s position is compatible with neither tradition nor the obligation to bargain in good faith as required by the Alberta Labour Relations Code. Prior to the last round, negotiations were carried out in parallel at two tables under a completely different legal framework involving different resolution mechanisms. During the last round, “money” items were opened soon after negotiations began, approximately a year before negotiations concluded and most language was negotiated after monetary items were opened.
Likewise, under the code, both sides are obliged to appoint representatives who are authorised to bargain, and to present the articles they wish to discuss within two weeks of the first meeting after a notice to bargain has been issued. While ULFA has been willing to waive the specific time requirements of this latter deadline in recognition of the multiple stresses facing both sides during these exceptional times, meaningful negotiations do require both that both teams are empowered to negotiate money and language and that negotiations take place with an understanding of the full context of both parties’ positions.
After consulting with counsel, ULFA reiterated these concerns to the Board and asked for a meeting to discuss establishing an environment in which meaningful negotiations can occur.
CAFA DISTINGUISHED ACADEMIC AWARDS
Retrieved from CAFA
The purpose of the CAFA Distinguished Academic Awards is to recognize members of the University of Lethbridge Faculty Association [ULFA], the Athabasca University Faculty Association [AUFA], Grant MacEwan University Faculty Association [GMUFA], Mount Royal Faculty Association [MRFA] and the Association of Academic Staff of the University of Alberta [AASUA], who through their research and/or other scholarly, creative or professional activities have made outstanding contributions to the community beyond the university.
PROFESSIONAL OFFICER – ULFA Job Posting
The University of Lethbridge Faculty Association (ULFA) is seeking to hire a full-time, continuing position for a Professional Officer. The successful applicant will have duties related to supporting the ULFA membership in all labour relations matters arising from grievance and collective bargaining.
ULFA is the exclusive bargaining agent for 600 academic staff members at the University of Lethbridge. More information about ULFA can be found on the website at www.ulfa.ca.
Position Title: Professional Officer
Employment Definition: Permanent, full-time position (following 12 month probation)
Compensation: $62, 000 to $82, 000 FTE, based on experience, plus comprehensive benefits
package.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
1. Demonstrates a working knowledge of labour laws, grievance and collective bargaining
processes;
2. Demonstrates a good understanding of post-secondary labour relations environment;
3. Demonstrates strength and insight in dealing with constitutions, bylaws, and policies;
4. Supports the direction and initiatives of the elected body of ULFA;
5. Possesses an ability to work effectively with elected ULFA officers;
6. Is politically sensitive in dealing with the diverse membership of the Association, the
University delegates, and external contacts;
7. Possesses strong communication skills;
8. Possesses business acumen and solid organizational skills.
Summary of Responsibilities:
1. Responsible to the governing body of ULFA through the Executive Officer;
2. Meet with Members regarding all aspects of the Collective Agreement and related legislation;
3. Identify, track and ensure deadlines are met with all grievance related matters;
4. Identify areas in need of Member education and engagement
5. Responsible for processing, filing, and maintaining confidential records;
6. Provide staff support on committees and act as Executive officer as required
Qualifications:
1. Experience preferred in labour relations, legal environments, collective bargaining and grievance
handling, or related fields;
2. Professional training or adequate relevant experience working within a constitution and bylaws
framework;
3. Strong interpersonal skills, excellent oral and written communication skills, the ability to
exercise tact, judgement and diplomacy, and a high regard for confidentiality;
4. Excellent organizational, analytical, and planning skills;
5. Work independently with minimal supervision;
6. Minimum undergraduate degree required.
Application Deadline: November 13th, 2020 or until position is filled.
Start Date: Flexible upon availability of the successful candidate
To Apply: Please submit your application with resume and names of three references to:
Dr. Claudia Steinke
ULFA President
president@ulfa.ca
ULFA acknowledges that the land on which we typically gather is the traditional territory of the Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot).
ULFA is committed to the principle of employment equity, is an equal opportunity employer, and welcomes diversity in the workplace.
*Date Change* New Member Welcome and Orientation
Please note the date change on our upcoming New Member Orientation from Oct 22 to Oct 21*
Join ULFA in welcoming new academic staff at our New Members Orientation. This is a chance to orient new members to the Association and Collective Agreement, address common questions, and meet colleagues outside of your department. All members are welcome to attend, learn about the supports available through ULFA and welcome those who have been hired over the past year.
October 21 at 3 – 4pm.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYrf-yvpjoqHdAn5VEy2oGorxfkF-_zai0Y
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
We look forward to seeing you there!