The most recent offer from the University to settle ASPA's collective agreement was countered because it was so very similar to the offer originally presented to ASPA in July. The only substantive difference is that the proposed increase of 0.5% in employer-matched pension contributions has been replaced with a $1,500 one-time signing bonus. Thus, the current proposal continues to suffer from all of the deficiencies noted earlier:

1. Economic Settlement Insufficient

On Campus News carried a story in its recent edition describing the University's cautious, prudent approach to the current turmoil roiling financial markets. Read the complete story here:

http://www.usask.ca/communications/ocn/08-oct-31/1.php

Provost and Vice-President Academic Brett Fairbairn told Council on October 23 that the university has investments of about $550 million in endowment and general funds, and another $760 million in pension plans. Fairbairn assured council the university's strong overall financial position means it will not likely be as seriously affected in the short term as other institutions in Canada.

In a recent article, the Star-Phoenix characterized the current turmoil in financial and commodities markets as temporary and short-term. Moreover, even in all the gloom, there is substantial strength in particular areas that should not be overlooked.

See the full story at:

http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/business/story.html?id=5...

"Don't worry Saskatchewan, everything is going to be OK," says Mark Frey, vice-president of foreign exchange trading with Custom House Ltd.

Dear ASPA members,

Based upon priorities defined by you in the pre-bargaining survey, and through your Negotiations Advisory group, our bargaining team has endeavored to reach a fair and equitable agreement on your behalf.

Prior to engaging in the bargaining process this time around we made a promise to you that we would “bargain different”; that we would involve you in the process and keep you up to date as much as we were able. As a result many individuals have invested untold hours to aid in the timely achievement of this goal; many thanks to all of these people.

** Updated: November 8 **

A number of members have raised concerns about the timing of ASPA meetings.

ASPA needs to communicate quickly with its members, but the most obvious means of communication, the use of campus email, is denied to us by the University. Thus, we have had to depend on other media to provide information to our members, including our web site (http://www.aspasask.ca/), Facebook and general meetings of the membership. For some purposes, such as debate of issues, member meetings are absolutely necessary.

For Immediate Release
Thursday, November 6th, 2008

ASPA's Contract Proposal: "A Good Investment"

Conciliation talks between the Administrative and Supervisory Personnel Association (ASPA) and the University of Saskatchewan recently adjourned without the conclusion of a revised collective agreement. ASPA will meet with its members shortly to discuss progress made during conciliation and to consider means of moving forward towards the conclusion of a new agreement. ASPA does NOT expect or plan to undertake job action of any kind.

At the adjournment of the conciliation process, 4 November, 2008, ASPA had tabled an offer to settle a new Collective Agreement with the University. You can view the original document by following this link.

This offer was formulated in keeping with ASPA’s principles of equity and fair representation for all its members as well as with the goals identified to the Bargaining Team through our membership bargaining survey:

• Equitable recognition of members’ growth in proficiency and their ongoing contributions to the success of university programs;
• Recognition for members’ meritorious contributions that are considerably better than that which might be viewed as “normal”;

Last week, the Saskatchewan Government commented on continuing good news about the provincial economy as reflected in recent data released by Statistics Canada. Wage growth for workers in the province leads the country while unemployment is the lowest anywhere. Read the complete story here:

http://www.gov.sk.ca/news?newsId=d57097d2-a7b2-4010-9460-fa78f796ec04

Data released by Statistics Canada shows that Saskatchewan people continue to benefit from living and working in the province: Average wages of paid employees continue to rise while the number of residents receiving Employment Insurance (EI) benefits continues to decline.

The ASPA Bargaining Team announces, regretfully, that the current round of conciliation has adjourned without the parties reaching a tentative agreement.

After three sessions totaling six days of bargaining, and the presentation of multiple proposals by ASPA, talks have stalled over the critical matter of how members will progress through pay ranges as their careers develop at the University.

In order to honour its promise to members, ASPA will provide more detailed information in the next few days through the web site, a mail out via campus mail, and member meetings being arranged for November 20 and 21.

The Star Phoenix reported last week on factors that encourage employees to stay with their employers even when other employers come knocking. The full story can be seen at:

http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/story.html?id=bab944d7-9...

The issue is commonly referred to as "Employee retention." In a hot employment market, retention is one of the biggest problems for Saskatoon companies.

Clifford Wiegers, president of Wiegers Financial, has found a way to pass on his small business success to others facing high employee turnover. At a time of high demand for skilled employees, Wiegers says his employee turnover is far below average because, Wiegers said, it all comes down to respect, good pay, employee benefits and a retirement plan.