University Budget Cuts

In the wake of the significant budget cuts announced this week by the University, ASPA would like to remind members of some pertinent points of our Collective Agreement.

Our primary focus in times like these is on helping you know and exercise your rights. If we are unaware of your situation, we are unable to help. ASPA strongly encourages you to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have about your continued employment.

- Although large-scale layoffs are not planned or necessary to achieve the required budget cuts, it is anticipated that some positions will be lost.

- Article 16 of the Collective Agreement defines the processes and expectations surrounding layoffs.

- Members in term positions are now automatically granted Permanent status after 2 years of employment in the same position. Therefore, if you have been employed in your position for 2 years in a series of terms, you are considered a Permanent employee and are entitled to the same notice and severance provisions as a member who has been in a Permanent position for the same length of time.

- Members in term positions who have not yet reached the 2-year mark are considered to be on "working notice" for the duration of their current term. In other words, when the stated end-of-term date occurs, the University has no further obligation to provide employment or compensation.

- Members with Permanent status, regardless of the nature of their position, are fully entitled to the notice and severance provisions of Article 16.

- The notice provision operates on a sliding-scale based on the total length of the member's employment within the scope of ASPA. For example, members with 6-10 years of service are entitled to a 6-month notice period.

- The severance provision provides one month of severance pay for each completed year of continuous service, to a maximum of twelve months.

- Upon agreement between the member and the employer, the notice period may be one where the member continues to work for its duration, or it may be paid out in lieu.

- Members being paid-out their notice may be given the choice between continuing to receive monthly payments during this time, or receiving a lump-sum payout. ASPA advises members to continue their monthly payments, as benefit coverage is terminated on the last date of pay.

Further information:

University of Saskatchewan 2009-10 Budget Information
ASPA Collective Agreement