January 2020

Time to Put a Bow on Fall 2020

Over the past weeks, your UWSA has been actively working with UW on behalf of our members in several areas: an updated performance appraisal process for 2020, safety procedures for those working on campus, our compensation agreement (which expires at the end of April), and a revised Memorandum of Agreement. These are important issues for our members, and we’ve been working hard to ensure staff interests are at top of mind for each. I’ve provided a brief update on each of these areas, and I’m happy to hear from anyone who has any questions about this work.

Wrapping up my term, passing the baton!

First, I would like to thank all of our members for your support during my term as President.  My term has ended and I now pass the baton onto Kathy Becker who, I believe, will be a strong champion for staff!  

I would also like to thank the team I had in the UWSA Board of Directors and our UWSA Staff.  They help support all of our initiatives in so many ways.  A very dedicated and enthusiastic bunch of people!

Growth: Uncomfortable, but worth it

Hello UW staff members! This is my second post as UWSA President-elect. In my first post, I wrote about some things I’ve learned since stepping into this role. This post is about a different, more disruptive kind of learning. I’ve been actively paying attention to racism in recent months, and it has brought me discomfort, which I take as a good sign.

July 2020 president's update

A warm hello to all our members and staff!

It certainly has been quite hot.  I hope you've managed to take advantage of some of the fine weather we've had and enjoyed a pool, beach or other outside recreational activity!

Five things I've learned as President-elect

Five things I’ve learned as President-elect

Spring term underway, looking to the Fall

It's a beautiful, warm Friday as I write this.  We seem to have finally fully shaken the cold weather.  I hope everyone is able to get out and responsibly enjoy this wonderful weather.

Spring Term 2020 begins

Hello to all my fellow UW staff,

We find ourselves at the beginning of a new term at UW - one like we've never had before - completely online for our students.  Classes start this Monday, May 11.  While many universities have a very slow spring/summer term, Waterloo remains very busy.  I believe this will serve us well as preparation for the Fall term.  

Another payday!

Hello to all our UW staff, and Happy Friday - it's pay day!  I am still very grateful that our employer has largely been able to keep us all employed and paid while so many others are needing to navigate the supports being made available from our federal and provincial governments.  I also understand that the scheduled pay increases set for May 1st are in progress and will be happening.

Message to all Waterloo staff

Dear Waterloo staff,

I am reaching out to you today to give you an update on the activities of the University of Waterloo Staff Association (UWSA). We have been in regular contact with the University’s senior administration, including weekly meetings of the Pandemic Planning Committee, along with our colleagues from the Faculty Association (FAUW) and CUPE. While we have been sending out regular updates to our members, I wanted to reach out to all staff as the topics we’ve discussed and sent out affect all of you.

It's payday!

Dear Members,

Well, it’s payday today!  I am grateful that we are still getting paid – that the University is operating, that HR staff are processing payroll, and that all the other staff and faculty and CUPE employees are keeping things running, whether having to come on-site or working remotely.  I have expressed to others that it is incredible that we are able to continue operating an organization our size with so many of us having to work remotely.

Keeping the lights on

Dear members,

End of a challenging week

Dear members,

President's update - January 2020

As we welcome in 2020, I can look back at my first two months as President of the UWSA.

First of all, it is truly an honour to serve in this position.  We have a terrific board of dedicated UW staff members, plus our own two very dedicated UWSA staff - Gail Spencer and Cathy Bolger.  I am so grateful for this great group of people to work with, on behalf of our members.