The UW Staff Association is the official voice of staff at the University of Waterloo. Our mission is to cultivate a progressive work environment where employees feel safe, empowered to grow, and able to thrive.
News
Members approve extension of President's term
With 95.8% of member votes in favour, Alyssa Kuron's term as president will be extended for one year, to fill the role following Bill Baer's retirement. Nominations for the next President (for the 2027–2028 term) will open in early September.
Update on UWSA leadership changes
Following the June 30 announcement that Bill Baer, incoming President of the UWSA, will be retiring effective August 1, the UWSA Board of Directors met to review the implications for the Association’s leadership and governance.
After careful consideration and discussion, the Board has decided to recommend extending the term of the current President, Alyssa Kuron, for an additional year. This recommendation will be put forward to the membership for approval through a special vote, which will take place from July 22 to 29, 2026.
Have your say on the future of the Staff Excellence Fund
The UWSA is seeking staff feedback as part of a review of the Staff Excellence Fund. The survey takes about five minutes to complete and is open through July 24. Take the survey now.
Events
Understanding Policy 18, Part 1: Employment Essentials
UWSA is hosting a two-part workshop designed to help staff understand their rights under the primary staff employment policy at Waterloo, Policy 18.
Part 1: Employment Essentials, on August 21, will cover what the policy says about hiring, training, changing roles within UW, performance development and improvement, and organizational change.
Part 2: Navigating Job Loss, on September 24, is a refresh of our 2024 workshop, covering what happens if you lose your job, what your rights are, and how we can support you.
September 2026 Area Reps Meeting
The UWSA Area Representatives Council is a space to exchange information about current issues facing staff at UW and to keep an open line of communication between the UWSA leadership and staff members across the University. Most meetings are open to Area Reps, with one meeting each term open to all staff.
Understanding Policy 18, Part 2: Navigating Job Loss
Your Rights at Work: Understanding Policy 18
This two-part workshop is designed to help staff understand their rights under the primary staff employment policy at Waterloo, Policy 18.
Part 2: Navigating Job Loss, on September 24, is a refresh of our 2024 workshop, covering what happens if you lose your job, what your rights are, and how we can support you.
October 2026 Area Reps Meeting
The UWSA Area Representatives Council is a space to exchange information about current issues facing staff at UW and to keep an open line of communication between the UWSA leadership and staff members across the University. Most meetings are open to Area Reps, with one meeting each term open to all staff.
November 2026 Area Reps Meeting
The UWSA Area Representatives Council is a space to exchange information about current issues facing staff at UW and to keep an open line of communication between the UWSA leadership and staff members across the University. Most meetings are open to Area Reps, with one meeting each term open to all staff.
December 2026 Area Reps Meeting
The UWSA Area Representatives Council is a space to exchange information about current issues facing staff at UW and to keep an open line of communication between the UWSA leadership and staff members across the University. Most meetings are open to Area Reps, with one meeting each term open to all staff.
Blog
Staff Spotlight: Patricia Huynh
The Staff Spotlight series shines a light on the support systems that help staff at the University of Waterloo thrive.
In this Spotlight, we meet Patricia Huynh, who works at the Sustainability Office, where she coordinates, leads, and implements projects across campus related to sustainability. We spoke with her about sustainability projects, campus collaboration, and the many ways staff can help build a more sustainable Waterloo.
What staff need to know about the University Pension Plan exploration
The University Pension Plan (UPP) is a multi-employer pension plan built for the post-secondary sector. The University is in the early stages of exploring possible conversion to UPP. Our role is to keep you informed and share key information as this exploration proceeds and so that you can make an informed decision if the process moves forward. Here’s what we think you should know.
Staff Spotlight: Alyssa Doyle
The Staff Spotlight series shines a light on the support systems that help staff at the University of Waterloo thrive.
In this Spotlight, we meet Alyssa Doyle, who works in Community Relations and Events, where she helps plan and deliver events across campus—including convocation. We spoke with her about what goes into events behind the scenes, why convocation matters, and why staff volunteers keep coming back.
Opportunities
The Sustainable Transportation Advisory Committee (formerly the Parking Advisory Committee) will bring together employee and student representatives to review policies, provide feedback on programs and initiatives, identify emerging needs and barriers, and help shape recommendations related to parking, active transportation, transit, and other mobility solutions. The committee is scheduled to hold its first meeting in September 2026 and meet regularly thereafter.
One opening; applications due August 18.