Information Session: Issues impacting the future of the UWSA

Thursday, May 21, 2015

The UWSA is hosting four information sessions to discuss issues impacting the organization’s future.

The first session is Wednesday, May 27, 2015 12pm to 1pm ALH 124

Currently UWSA membership is at 65% of eligible full time/ part time staff.  Over the years  the UWSA has operated under the constant stress of having to keep the numbers above a percentage that would be reflective of an organization that officially represents ALL staff.  In 2006 in consultation with HR the UWSA put in place a mechanism where new staff members were automatically enrolled into the UWSA membership, but had the ability to withdraw.  In 2013    we were asked to modify this practice in order to comply with the Employment Standards Act which states that written authorization from the employee is required before an employer can make deductions (other than those legislated by law) from an employee’s pay. This latest change has had a negative impact on the UWSA membership, and needs to be addressed.

In this information session we will discuss:

  • Membership numbers in more detail
  • The efforts made by the UWSA to improve membership uptake
  • The implications of a continuous decline in membership
  • What is needed to strengthen our relationship with the University of Waterloo, i.e.
    • Strengthening our Memorandum of Agreement
    • Making changes to our Governance
  • The Faculty Association’s solution to the same issue

We encourage you to come out and share your questions and thoughts on this matter. If you are unable to attend one of these meetings, please send your comments to: carlos.mendes@uwaterloo.ca.

We will be gathering your feedback from these meetings to assist in the Board of Director’s decision making process.

Other sessions are being held:

Friday, May 29, 2015 8:45am to 9:45am DC 1302
Thursday, June 11, 2015 12pm to 1pm NH 3001
Tuesday, June 16, 2015 3:30pm to 4:30pm MC 5501

We hope to see you at one of these sessions.