Member Services Officer
Administrative and Supervisory Personnel Association (ASPA)
Saskatoon, SK
Education: A recognized post-secondary degree in labour relations or related field is preferred. A combination of education and experience may be considered. CHIRP would be an asset.
Experience: A minimum of five years’ experience providing labour relations support in a unionized environment and within a fast-paced office environment in a diverse and inclusive environment. Experience working with union member issues, investigating and leading grievance/arbitration hearings, and advocating for union member rights is preferrable. Knowledge of the post-secondary education labour environment would be considered an asset.
Skills: Demonstrated understanding of labour relation legislation (SEA, WCB, LA FOIP, PIPEDA, HIPA, etc.) and how to interpret collective agreements; demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail and accuracy; effectively work both independently and as part of a team; demonstrated effective interpersonal, communication and organizational skills both written and oral; demonstrated ability to function in a high volume setting with numerous and conflicting deadlines; ability to handle interactions with tact, discretion, confidentially and cultural sensitivity; self-motivated and creative, with the ability to exercise initiative when required; highly motivated and self- directed; excellent problem solving analysis and problem solving skills; and a general knowledge of basic office procedures. Strong computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office 365, and all of its applications, (specifically Sharepoint, Outlook, Word, Teams, Excel, and PowerPoint), Zoom and other virtual platforms, and some knowledge or skills in web design and social media content design. Confidence in ability to learn and use new technology is essential. Ability to recognize and recommend change in policies and procedures which result in the improved delivery of administrative services.
This position is not within the scope of any union but salary and benefits follow the ASPA Collective Agreement for the ASPA equivalent position.
For information, please contact Adi Manek, ASPA President at aditya@aspasask.ca
Typical Duties:
· Effectively represents ASPA’s members’ interests to the university.
· Responds to members inquiries in a timely fashion in-person or virtually, by telephone, and/or by e-mail.
· Educates and informs members of their rights under the ASPA collective agreement and related legislation as well as University policy as it affects the member.
· Prepare grievances when appropriate from start to finish (investigate, research and document) in consultation with the presidents.
· Liaise with ASPA legal counsel on grievance, arbitration, LRB, etc. matters as necessary.
· Consult with the President, Vice Presidents, and Executive on issues related to the efficient running of ASPA such as;
o Identify opportunities to collaborate with other unions, both on campus and off
o Identify labour relations issues and trends
o Member issues
· Provide technical, research, and advisory support for collective bargaining
· Develop written policy and practices related to labour relations and implementation after approval by the Executive.
· Represent ASPA’s interests in dealing with the employer alongside the President, Vice President, and Executive
· Develop and deliver ongoing information sessions and educational workshops (in-person and virtually) that provide members with pertinent information about ASPA, their rights and benefits under the collective agreement and other pertinent labour legislation, and opportunities to be involved with ASPA.
· Provide required support for ASPA Standing committees as needed.
· Provide weekly and monthly reports as requested to the President and Executive.
· Maintain accessible files of member issues and actions taken so that the President and Executive are kept informed.
· Provide back-up for the administrative assistant position.
· Other duties as assigned
Primary Purpose: To provide comprehensive advisory and advocacy labour relations support to ASPA members for both individual and collective issues that arise related to the administration of the ASPA collective agreement. The Member Services Officer will also provide advice to the President, Vice Presidents, and the ASPA Executive on labour relations issues.
Nature of Work: Reporting to the President, this position works with ASPA members on a daily basis to assist them with issues that arise related to the collective agreement and related labour legislation. Work is done independently in a fast- paced environment, subject to multiple, conflicting deadlines and priorities with frequent interruptions. Discretion and judgment must be used to set priorities and meet deadlines and to determine appropriate action for complex issues and decisions. Professional working relationships must be established and maintained with a diverse group including the ASPA executive and other ASPA staff, ASPA members, university staff, other union leaders and staff, and various other stakeholders. Compliance with privacy protocols is essential as this position is privy to sensitive, complex, and highly confidential information.
About the Company
Administrative and Supervisory Personnel Association (ASPA)
The Administrative and Supervisory Personnel Association (ASPA) is a certified bargaining agent for a specific group of employees at the University of Saskatchewan.
ASPA is made up of more than 1,300 members, who are involved in a wide variety of jobs on campus. These include administrative assistants, computer programmers, student counsellors, coaches, project directors, veterinarians, research officers, family physicians, teachers for second language, etc.
ASPA’s Vision: To effectively represent its members and be a positive agent for progress at the University.
The certification of CUPE local 1975 dates from the time the University of Saskatchewan Employee’s Union was organized as a federal local of the Canadian Congress of Labour in 1945. The certification gave it the right to represent all of the University of Saskatchewan’s non-teaching and administrative staff. In 1976, the local moved to amend and amalgamate the certification to include all employees except professors, those involved in teaching and more senior managers. The Labour Board complied and gave CUPE the right to represent previously excluded unorganized administrative and technical officers.
Some 169 of the new members (in CUPE) objected to being under the local CUPE certification without a vote. The University applied to quash the board order. The court of Appeal denied the University’s but, citing a dissenting opinion, the Supreme Court of Canada allowed the appeal.
Subsequently, those employees, organized as the Administrative and Supervisory Personnel Association (ASPA), sought and were granted certification in 1978.
The certification order states “… all administrative and professional person and all technical officers employed by the University of Saskatchewan including but not so as to restrict the generality of the foregoing…”