Committee Structure
- COMMITTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN FACULTY ASSOCIATION
- GUIDELINES FOR USFA COMMITTEES
- EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
- ASSOCIATION GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE (AGC)
- CHARITABLE DONATIONS COMMITTEE
- COMMITTEE OF TRUSTEES OF THE CONTINGENCY TRUST FUND
- COMMITTEE OF TRUSTEES OF THE VOLUNTARY GROUP LIFE INSURANCE TRUST FUND
- COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEES
- COMMITTEE ON PENSIONS, INSURANCE AND OTHER BENEFITS
- COMMITTEE ON THE STATUS OF VISIBLE MINORITIES
- COMMITTEE ON WOMEN'S ISSUES
- FACULTY ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE (FARS)
- THE NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE
- PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
- ACADEMIC FRINGE BENEFITS COMMITTEE
- COLLECTIVE NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE (CNC)
- JOINT COMMITTEE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE AGREEMENT (JCMA)
- JOINT GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE (JGC)
- TRAFFIC AND PARKING COMMITTEE
D. OCCASIONAL COMMITTEES
E. AD HOC COMMITTEESF. REPRESENTATIVES ON OTHER COMMITTEES
As a result of the need to create new committees and to accommodate
ad hoc changes made to existing committees, the Executive instructed the
Committee on Committees to review all committees and to provide an updated
committee structure document. Significant changes include the establishment
of the Committee on the Status of Visible Minorities, the merging of committees
with apparent overlap in function, the removal of inoperative committees
and the standardization of the term of appointment to all committees.
The members of the Committee on Committees were: Peter Dooley (Chair),
Terry Matheson, Ronald Sutherland and Victor Wiebe.
Respectfully submitted,
Peter C. Dooley
28 August 1998
- The Executive Committee shall direct matters of Association business to the appropriate committee.
- All committees are bound by the Constitution of the USFA and by Executive Committee policies, but they may recommend changes in policies to the Executive for approval or action.
- Documents relating to individual cases are considered confidential. The chair of the committee must have a member's permission to release material for public viewing.
- All communications under the letterhead of the Association must be authorized by the Executive Committee.
- All committees shall keep minutes which are to be deposited in the Association's office within one week of the meeting.
- All committees shall report annually and as requested to the Executive and to the membership at the Annual General Meeting.
- The Executive shall appoint the chair of a committee or delegate this responsibility to the committee.
- Any vacancy on a committee resulting from resignation or any other cause shall be filled by the Executive Committee.
- Committees shall receive prior approval from the Executive before incurring any expenses.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
A detailed description of the Executive Committee is to be found in
the Constitution of the Association.
The duties of the Association Grievance Committee (AGC) are:
a) to receive and review complaints and grievances from members of the Association.
b) to advise which cases should be pursued at the Joint Grievance Committee
c) to assume ownership of the grievance pursuant to Article 29.2 and,
d) to provide preparatory experience for prospective Senior Grievance
Officers.
2. Composition
The AGC and the Senior Grievance Officer and the Associate Grievance
Officer, if necessary, shall be appointed by the Executive. The AGC shall
include one member of the Executive Committee other than the Senior Grievance
Officer. The Senior Grievance Officer is chair of the AGC.
3. Term of Office
The term of office is one year, renewable.
4. Responsibility
The AGC is responsible to the Executive. However, the Grievance Committee,
specifically the person designated to conduct a grievance, generally would
not be subject to the direction of the Executive Committee of the Association
in his/her handling of an individual grievance except at points in the
decision process that require the expenditure of funds.
- Expenditure of Funds
a] An initial budget allocation of $3,000 for occasional, emergency or other short-term legal consultations. Supplemental allocation may be authorized on request.
b] Prior approval of cases going to arbitration, the Labour Relations Board or court, or that may require any large expenditure of funds.
c] Prior approval of funds to attend conferences, hold retreats or other
activities that are useful to the Association.
- Legal Counsel
7. Lines of Communication
The Senior Grievance Officer (or designate) shall report to the Executive Committee at least once a month, and more frequently if necessary, on grievance matters including correspondence filing, withdrawing and resolving grievances but excluding any confidential personal information. The Senior Grievance Officer shall provide a report for both spring and fall General Meetings.
8. Confidentiality
All discussions, position papers, documents, letters and other materials
received by the committee are confidential.
[Terms of Reference amended August 16, 1996]
CHARITABLE DONATIONS COMMITTEE
1. Purpose
The purpose of this committee is to facilitate fund raising for payroll
deductions from members of the Faculty Association
2. Composition
Members of the Charitable Donations Committee are appointed by the Executive
Committee in consultation with the Committee on Committees.
3. Term of Office
The term of office is one year, renewable.
4. Responsibility
The Committee is responsible to the Executive Committee.
4. Lines of Communication
The Committee shall report to the Executive annually or as necessary.
5. Origin
During the 1950's, members of faculty contributed to the world university
service of Canada. In 1964 the Faculty Association established the Charitable
Donations Committee. In 1998 the Joint Committee for the Management of
the Agreement confirmed that the committee has been and remains a Faculty
Association Committee.
March 4, 1998
COMMITTEE OF TRUSTEES OF THE CONTINGENCY TRUST FUND
1. Purpose
1. To pay extraordinary expenses or costs, including legal costs incurred
by the Settlor or by a member of the Settlor provided such costs are expressly
approved by the Executive of the Settlor, in connection with collective
bargaining activity, arbitration proceedings or any other proceedings involving
issues associated with the terms and conditions of employment of faculty
members of the University of Saskatchewan; and
2. To pay expenses and costs incurred by the Settlor or by a member
of the Executive of the Settlor, provided such payments are expressly approved
by the Settlor, in connection with any collective activity of the members
of the Settlor such as withdrawal of services or "work to rule" activities;
and
3. To pay compensation to any member of the Settlor who is suffering
hardship due to loss of regular income as a result of any collective activity
of the members of the Settlor such as, but not confined to, withdrawal
of services.
4. To pay annually to the Settlor any interest or other income payable
to the Committee of Trustees under any investment of Trust Property or
under any deposit of Trust Property in a deposit account.
PROVIDED that no trust property, other than interest or other income
mentioned in item 4. above, shall be allocated or paid by the Committee
of Trustees without the receipt of a certified written record of a motion
of the Executive of the Settlor that a request be made to the Committee
of Trustees for payment of a specified amount for one or more of the purposes
of this Trust.
2. Composition
The Executive shall appoint four trustees, of which at least three Trustees
will be members of the Executive Committee. The Executive may terminate
the tenure of any Trustee by giving such Trustee at least ten days notice
in writing that the Executive intends to terminate the appointment of the
Trustee, notice of the date on which such appointment shall terminate and
the name of the Trustee replacing the Trustee.
3. Term of Office
The term of any Trustee who holds a position with the Executive shall
automatically terminate on the date that the Trustee ceased to be a member
of the Executive.
4. Responsibility
The Committee is responsible to the Executive Committee.
5. Lines of Communication
The Chairperson of the Committee shall report to the Executive annually
or as necessary and provide copies of all minutes and financial statements.
6. Origin
The idea for a contingency trust fund evolved from a document urging
the establishment of an Emergency Fund (which was later changed to "Defence
Fund") written by Peter Dooley. A motion was passed at a General Meeting
on December 10, 1987 which authorized the establishment of a Defence Fund.
COMMITTEE OF TRUSTEES OF THE VOLUNTARY GROUP LIFE INSURANCE TRUST FUND
The responsibilities and duties are specified by the Trust Indenture.
1. Purpose
a] To offset premium increases to the members of University of Saskatchewan
Faculty Association Voluntary Group Life Insurance; or
b] To make a one time payment to the Carrier of the University of Saskatchewan
Faculty Association Voluntary Group Life Insurance to affect a contribution
holiday on behalf of the all members enrolled in the plan on the date of
the said contribution holiday; or
c] To provide a benefit to all members of the University of Saskatchewan
Faculty Association Voluntary Group Life Insurance plan who are enrolled
in the plan on the date of the said benefit, provided such benefit is expressly
authorized by the Executive of the Settlor; or
d] To pay extraordinary expenses or costs incurred by the Settlor or
by a member of the Settlor, provided such payments are expressly authorized
by the Executive of the Settlor, in connection with arbitration proceedings
or any other proceedings involving issues associated with the University
of Saskatchewan Faculty Association Voluntary Group Life Insurance plan;
and
e] To pay into the Trust any interest or other income payable to the Trustees under any investment of Trust Property or under any deposit of Trust Property in a deposit account.
2. Composition
The Executive shall appoint four trustees, of which at least three Trustees
will be members of the Executive Committee. The Executive may terminate
the tenure of any Trustee by giving such Trustee at least ten days notice
in writing that the Executive intends to terminate the appointment of the
Trustee, notice of the date on which such appointment shall terminate and
the name of the Trustee replacing the Trustee.
3. Term of Office
The term of any Trustee who holds a position with the Executive shall
automatically terminate on the date that the Trustee ceased to be a member
of the Executive.
4. Responsibility
The Committee is responsible to the Executive Committee.
5. Lines of Communication
The Chairperson of the Committee shall report to the Executive annually
or as necessary and provide copies of all minutes and financial statements.
6. Origin
The Voluntary Group Life Insurance trust fund was formed to deal with
funds received as rebate from the University of Saskatchewan Voluntary
Group Life Insurance Policy Number G.27391.
Established July 15, 1998, terms of reference not yet approved by Executive.
COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEES
a) to review the terms of reference of all existing committees and committees,
b) to recommend the establishment of new committees and discharge old committees,
- to recommend names of individuals for staffing of all committees and committees, in consultation with the Executive and other USFA committees,
- to develop information packages for incoming Executive members and members of the bargaining unit, and
- to ensure that in discharging old committees, the appropriate letters of thanks will be sent to out-going committee members.
The Committee on Committees shall consist of 3 to 4 members of the Executive
Committee.
3. Responsibility
The Committee is responsible to the Executive.
4. Lines of Communication
The Committee on Committees should be struck following the election
of the Executive Committee in order to ensure that the staffing of committees
for the next academic year and arrangements for welcoming new members to
the bargaining unit are completed as soon as possible. The committee reports
as necessary to the Executive Committee.
COMMITTEE ON PENSIONS, INSURANCE AND OTHER BENEFITS
The Committee on Pensions, Insurance and Other Benefits (CPIOB) advises the Association membership and the Executive Committee on all matters relating to benefits including the pension, compulsory group life insurance and salary continuation plans.
The duties of the CPIOB are:
a) to monitor existing benefit plans
b) to consider new benefit plans
c) to recommend changes in existing benefit plans.
2. Composition
Members of the CPIOB shall be appointed by the Executive.
3 Term of Office
The term of office is one year, renewable.
4. Responsibility
The CPIOB is responsible to the Executive.
5. Lines of Communication
The CPIOB shall report regularly to the Executive and must submit an
annual report to the membership through the Executive.
[Terms of Reference amended September 12, 1997]
COMMITTEE ON THE STATUS OF VISIBLE MINORITIES
1. Purpose
The purpose of this committee is:
- to act as an initial contact and support group for visible minority members of the Faculty Association;
- to identify issues which might become the subject of collective bargaining;
- to examine the needs of particular visible minority groups who are in a disadvantaged position;
- to educate members of the bargaining unit about minority issues on campus.
- to promote non-discrimination on campus.
Members of the Committee on the Status of Visible Minorities are appointed
by the Executive Committee in consultation with the Committee on Committees.
3. Term of Office
The term of office is one year, renewable.
4. Responsibility
The Committee is responsible to the Executive Committee.
5. Lines of Communication
The Committee shall report to the Executive as necessary and annually
to the membership at a General Meeting.
6. Origin
The Committee on the Status of Visible Minorities arose from the need
to promote the Non-Discrimination Article of the Collective Agreement (Article
7) and to promote harmony on campus.
Established October 3, 1997
COMMITTEE ON WOMEN'S ISSUES
1. Purpose
The purpose of this committee is:
- to act as an initial contact and support group for female members of the Faculty Association,
- to identify women's issues which might become the subject of collective bargaining,
- to examine the needs of particular groups of female members who may be in a disadvantaged position,
- to educate members of the bargaining unit about women's issues on campus.
- to promote non-discrimination on campus.
Members of the Committee on Women's Issues are appointed by the Executive
Committee in consultation with the Committee on Committees.
3. Term of Office
The term of office is one year, renewable.
4. Responsibility
The Committee is responsible to the Executive Committee.
5. Lines of Communication
The Committee shall report to the Executive as necessary and annually
to the membership at a General Meeting.
6. Origin
In the early 1970s, the USFA named a representative to the CAUT Committee
on the Status of Women. Later, the President of the University formed an
advisory committee on the status of women and the CAUT representative served
both purposes. The USFA has since established an enlarged Committee that
addresses a range of issues affecting the status of women on campus. In
1997, the name was changed to the Committee on Women's Issues.
[Terms of Reference amended October 3, 1997]
FACULTY ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE (FARS)
1. Purpose
The purpose of a FAR is to serve as a liaison between members of the
departmental (or non-departmentalized Colleges) units and the Executive
Committee. The role of FARS is:
- to convey information from the membership to the Executive Committee and vice-versa,
- to suggest names of members who have expertise and interest in serving on Association Committees or in acting as observers on University Committees,
- to pass on views and suggestions about what matters should be included in the upcoming round of negotiations,
e) to gather information on bargaining items,
f) to carry out long term research relating to bargaining matters, and
- to meet informally with the Negotiating Committee to discuss the bargaining process.
FARs are appointed by the Executive Committee. They represent departmental
units or non-departmentalized Colleges. A department or non-departmentalized
College may have more than one representative. Normally, the Chair of USFA
will conduct meetings with the FARs.
3. Term of Office
The term of office is one year, renewable.
4. Responsibility
FARs report to the Executive Committee.
5. Lines of Communication
Members of the Executive should meet at least once per semester with
the FARs or as often as necessary.
[Terms of Reference amended September 12, 1997]
THE NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE
1. Purpose
The purpose of the Negotiating Committee is to conduct negotiations
with representatives of the Employer with the goal of reaching a Collective
Agreement at the Collective Negotiating Committee as defined by Article
32.2. In order to carry out this task, the Negotiating Committee will solicit
suggestions for bargaining items from the Executive and from Faculty Association
Committees, particularly the Faculty Association Representatives.
2. Composition
The Negotiating Committee shall be appointed by the Executive Committee.
A minimum of two of the members of the committee should be members of the
Executive Committee. The Chair of the Association is normally a member
of the Negotiating Committee.
3. Term of Office
The Negotiating Committee shall be struck at the discretion of the Executive
and operates until a Collective Agreement has been ratified at which time
it is discharged from its duties.
4. Responsibility
The Negotiating Committee is responsible to the Executive Committee.
The Negotiating Committee has the authority to conclude a tentative Collective
Agreement with the Employer. It shall also be the responsibility of the
Association Negotiating Committee to give notice in writing to the Employer
to negotiate revising to the Collective Agreement, not less than thirty
days or more than sixty days before the expiry of the Agreement (Sec.33.4
- Saskatchewan Trade Union Act).
5. Lines of Communication
The Committee is expected to make regular reports to the Executive during
the planning stage as well as throughout the course of negotiations. Once
negotiations have commenced, the Negotiating Committee has control over
matters of strategy and modifications of the Association's bargaining position
subject to consultation with the Executive if a major change in strategy
occurs. When an agreement has been reached, the Negotiating Committee shall
present the terms of the proposed Collective Agreement to the Executive,
and the Executive may decide to recommend ratification of the Agreement
of the membership.
6. Confidentiality
All discussions, position papers, documents, letters and other materials
received by the committee are confidential.
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
1. Purpose
The Personnel Committee will review staff performance, recommend merit
increases, promotion etc. and approve administrative staff job descriptions
annually.
2. Composition
The Personnel Committee consists of the table officers (Chair, Vice-Chair,
Secretary, Treasurer) of the Executive Committee, the Senior Grievance
Officer and one other member of the Executive who will be the chair of
the committee.
3. Responsibility
The Personnel Committee will report to the Executive Committee.
4. Lines of Communication
The Personnel Committee will be struck by the end of July of each year
and will make salary recommendations to the Executive Committee by the
end of May for the current year.
5. Confidentiality
All discussions, position papers, documents, letters and other materials
received by the committee are confidential.
ACADEMIC FRINGE BENEFITS COMMITTEE
- Terms of Reference
- Composition
- Term of Office
- Lines of Communication
COLLECTIVE NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE (CNC)
This Committee is established in accordance with Article 32 of the Collective
Agreement.
- Purpose
- Composition
- Meetings
JOINT COMMITTEE
FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE AGREEMENT (JCMA)
- Purpose
The objectives of the Committee shall be:
(i) to determine those issues that are specifically placed before it by the terms of this Agreement;
(ii) to review any matters of mutual concern, especially those arising from the management of the Agreement;
(iii) to maintain and develop a spirit of co-operation and mutual respect between the parties;
(iv) to facilitate better working relationships between the Employer and employees;
(v) to serve as a forum for the exchange of information.
- Forum
- Composition
- Lines of Communication
After each meeting, the Association sends to the Employer a written
letter of its understanding of what transpired at the meeting. This report
is also given to the Executive to supplement the oral report normally made
earlier by the Chairman. A report is also given to the membership, via
the Executive, normally at both spring and fall General Meetings.
JOINT GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE (JGC)
- Purpose
The Joint Grievance Committee shall have the right in conducting its business to make decisions on matters of substance and procedure, except as restricted by Article 29.7, and to this end shall forthwith adopt its own rules of procedure.
- Composition
The Employer and the Association may add to the membership of the Joint
Grievance Committee by mutual agreement, and either the Employer or the
Association may, without agreement, have other persons, including the aggrieved
employee, if any, attend a meeting of the Joint Grievance Committee for
the purpose of providing information.
- Quorum
TRAFFIC AND PARKING COMMITTEE
- Terms of Reference
- Membership
- Purpose
(a) review the existing regulations and the manner in which they are applied and enforced;
(b) consider the requirements for change in facilities, policies and regulations;
(c) receive written complaints from employees;
(d) report annually to both the Board and the Association;
(e) make recommendations concerning amendments to the Traffic Regulations;
(f) refer any major amendments of the Parking Regulations affecting faculty such as changes in the system of allocating parking stalls and the availability of reserved parking stalls, to the Board and the Association for bilateral negotiation at the Joint Committee for the Management of the Agreement. All moneys collected by the University for faculty, staff and student parking will be used to pay the legitimate expenses attributable to such parking facilities. The parking fee schedule will be set in such a manner that the revenues and expenditures over any three-year period will provide a break-even position for the fund. The University will prepare an annual statement of Revenues and Expenditures pertaining to the provision of faculty, staff and student parking and present such a statement to the Committee on Traffic and Parking. Any change in the parking fee schedule requires the approval of a majority of the Committee on Traffic and Parking.
- Composition
- Term of Office
- Lines of Communication
Under the terms of the Collective Agreement, Faculty Association Observers
are authorized for the following Committees:
Appointments Committee (13.5.2)
Budget Committee (10.5.6) - two observers
Department Heads Appointments Committee (13.6.4)
President's Review Committee (17.2.4) -2 observers
Promotions Appeal Committee (16.4.5.3)
Tenure Appeals Committee (15.10.5.4)
Sabbatical Leave Committee (21.2)
Sabbatical Leave Appeal Committee (21.4.2) - 2 observers
University Review Committee (15.10.4) - 2 observers
Observers operate within the procedure stated in the Agreement or procedures
established by the Committee in accordance with the Collective Agreement
(Articles 10.5.6 and 10.5.7). Their main function is to monitor the actions
of the various committees.
Observers are named by the Executive at the beginning of each academic
year for a one-year term, and may be reappointed.
The Observer submits a written report to the Executive in time for it
to be considered by them and presented to a General Meeting of the Association
in the spring. Other reports are submitted whenever business arises that
should be brought to the attention of the Executive.
Observers are encouraged to make suggestions which they deem appropriate
for changes in the Agreement or procedures that could improve the work
of the committees.
1. Purpose
The purpose of this committee is to review, revise and recommend changes
to the USFA constitution.
2. Composition
This committee shall consist of at least three members, two of whom
shall be members of the Executive Committee.
3. Term of Office
The term of office is one year, renewable.
4. Responsibility
The Constitution Committee is responsible to the Executive.
5. Lines of Communication
The Constitution Committee will report to the Executive annually or as necessary.
EXTERNAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE
1. Purpose
The mandate of the External Relations Committee is to develop public
awareness about educational issues and to establish a liaison with other
organizations concerned about education.
2. Composition
Members of the External Relations Committee are appointed by the Executive
Committee. Two members of the External Relations Committee should be members
of the Executive Committee.
3. Term of Office
The term of office is one year, renewable.
4. Responsibility
The External Relations Committee is responsible to the Executive Committee.
5. Lines of Communication
The External Relations Committee shall report to the Executive as necessary and annually to the membership at a General Meeting.
1. Purpose
The JAC shall plan and implement possible forms of job action in support
of negotiations, subject to the approval of the Executive of the Faculty
Association.
2. Composition
The JAC shall be appointed by the Executive. The Committee should include
one member of the Executive and one member of the FARs to facilitate lines
of communication among USFA committees.
3. Term of Office
The Job Action Committee shall be struck at the discretion of the Executive
with the term of office to be on an as needs basis.
4. Responsibility
The JAC is responsible to the Executive.
5. Lines of Communication
The JAC will report on the activities of the JAC to the Executive as
necessary.
6. Confidentiality
All discussions, position papers, documents, letters and other materials
received by the committee are confidential.
7. Origin
The JAC was created by a motion of a Special General Meeting of the
membership held August 2, 1984 and re-established by a motion of the Executive
on January 30, 1986.
[Terms of reference amended October 19, 1988]
Ad Hoc Committees may be appointed whenever consideration is required
of an issue outside the terms of reference of other committees of the Faculty
Association. The establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee is either proposed
by the membership, through representation to the Executive Committee, or
effected directly by the Executive Committee.
The members of an Ad Hoc Committee are appointed by the Executive. A
concise statement of the terms of reference is given to an Ad Hoc Committee.
This does not preclude the Ad Hoc Committee, upon preliminary consideration
of the issue(s) placed before it, from requesting of the Executive the
extension or amendment of the original terms of reference.
The Executive establishes a deadline for an Ad Hoc Committee to submit
its final report. Reports of those Ad Hoc Committees generated at a General
Meeting are presented to the membership, via the Executive, at the next
General Meeting subsequent to the receipt of the report or at a Special
General Meeting, if so required.
When an Ad Hoc Committee has completed its task, normally when its report
has been presented and received, it shall be considered to be terminated.
SASKATCHEWAN ASSOCIATION
OF UNIVERSITY TEACHERS (S.A.U.T.)
- Mission Statement of SAUT
The goal of the Saskatchewan Association of University Teachers is the
attainment of the highest possible standards of academic excellence in
the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge, to be achieved principally
through teaching, scholarship, research and public service.
2. Purpose
The representative will advise the Executive on matters relating to
SAUT.
3. Composition
One representative shall be appointed by the Executive Committee.
4. Term of Office
The term of office is two years, renewable.
5. Responsibility
The representative to SAUT is responsible to the Executive.
6. Lines of Communication
The representative will report to the Executive annually or as necessary.
7. Origin
See SAUT Constitution