Sweater weather is finally here; the leaves are falling, and temperatures are cooling down. Fall also brings my final monthly report as president, and I want to take a moment to reflect.
To say this year has been a steep learning curve would be an understatement. It’s been a challenging time for many of us, but what has remained constant is the strength of our community. I’ve seen firsthand how we show up for one another, and that support has meant everything.
One shining example? We received more than 300 staff 10/10 submissions, a powerful reminder of the dedication, care, and excellence that lives in every corner of our team.
Elections
Voting is now open in our UWSA elections, so please remember to vote and don’t forget to encourage your coworkers to do the same!
In case you missed it, you can watch the recording of our Meet the Candidates event from Monday, October 6.
As well, here is a note from our Chief Returning Officer, Alexa Evans, regarding the presidential portion of the election:
Yessenia Guerrero has formally withdrawn her candidacy from the UWSA Presidential election. As a result, Bill Baer remains the sole candidate for the position. In accordance with established precedent, Bill Baer will be acclaimed as President-Elect.
At this stage, we are unable to modify the ballot due to the limitations of the voting system. We kindly ask members who have not yet voted to select "abstain" from responding to the presidential question. Any votes submitted for this position will be respectfully disregarded.
Congratulations to Bill and best wishes to Yessenia!
Memorandum of Agreement
We have finalized priorities that are in the scope of the MoA and created a joint working group with the administration. Meetings of the working group will commence in the coming weeks.
We plan on having a draft ready for consultation and ratification in the Winter 2026 term.
Flexible and hybrid work
We were pleased to see improved guidelines around short-term flexibility, which now make it easier for staff to adjust their hours or work from home when unexpected situations arise, or when focused time is needed for time-sensitive projects. This is a positive step toward supporting staff in managing their responsibilities more effectively.
At the same time, we know many staff are not happy about the hybrid work guidelines. We’ve heard from many members who are frustrated that something that seemed to be working well from a staff perspective—the ability to work from home a few days a week—has been rolled back so much. We’re also hearing that many staff members will be allowed only one day at home a week, without the opportunity to apply for two.
We do hear you, and we’re committed to continuing to highlight these concerns and advocate for a better process. Our goal is to ensure that guidelines and policies are shaped with meaningful staff input, and that flexibility remains a core value in our workplace culture.
Looking ahead
Thank you for walking this journey with me. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together as an association, especially given the challenges we’ve faced over the past year. Your resilience, collaboration, and commitment have made all the difference.
As I step aside, I’m thrilled to welcome Alyssa Kuron as your next UWSA President. I’m confident she will bring fresh energy, thoughtful leadership, and a deep commitment to our community.
Here’s to continued growth and shared success in the year ahead!
Lisa Habel
UWSA President, 2024–2025
