On November 20-21, over 130 enthusiastic CAAT-A delegates, alternates and observers gathered virtually to survey the current bargaining environment and elect their 2021 bargaining team. Chair RM Kennedy led attendees through an agenda devoted to an overview of key issues facing college faculty and students in the midst of the pandemic. Presentations from labour [...]

“In our diversity we will build solidarity as union members.” So ends the OPSEU Statement of Respect that is read at the beginning of all union meetings. I write this acknowledging my own failure as President of OPSEU Local 417 in not saying something.  I apologize for my inaction. The College has committed itself [...]

Each month, a Union-College Committee meets to discuss issues and concerns impacting Local 417 members. According to our Collective Agreement the purpose of the committee is to discuss the local application of the Collective Agreement, clarification of procedures or conditions causing misunderstandings or grievances, internal complaints not addressed in other meetings or processes, grievance [...]

On behalf of the Bargaining Team, the Divisional Executive (DivEx) is inviting Partial-Load members to submit applications for a position on the Bargaining Advisory Committee (BAC). We are looking to fill 8 Partial-Load member positions on the committee. These individuals will sit alongside 24 local delegates (1 delegate from each local) to collectively form [...]

Have you ever heard someone say, "What's on the back of your SWF?" Or, "Just put it on the back of your SWF?" What are they talking about? The Standard Workload form is a PDF document, emailed to Full-time Faculty at least six weeks before the start of the new semester, but it used [...]

The deadline for managers to get Standard Workload Forms (SWF) Full-time (FT) Faculty is Friday, November 27 (six weeks prior to the start of semester). This week, SLC Faculty Local 417 is sharing daily tips for understanding your SWF. Today, we're talking about Evaluation Factors. The amount of time on your SWF allotted for [...]

The deadline for managers to get Standard Workload Forms (SWF) Full-time (FT) Faculty is Friday, November 27 (six weeks prior to the start of semester). Then FT Faculty have five days to either sign (and agree with) or communicate with their managers in writing that they disagree with their SWF. Ideally, managers and FT [...]

The Full-time Faculty workload has an upper limit of 44 hours per week. Over 44 hours is considered overtime. Even with overtime, more than 47 hours per week is in violation of Canadian labour laws. Accepting overtime on your Standard Workload form (SWF) is voluntary. You do not have to accept it. Before you accept overtime [...]