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HISTORY PURPOSES ORGANIZATION CAUT SAUT MEMBERSHIP The University of Regina Faculty Association (URFA) is a professional organization for members of various bargaining units on the University of Regina campus. We are a member of the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT), and the Saskatchewan Association of University Teachers (SAUT). URFA serves as the collective bargaining agent for approximately 1400 full and part time members. In 1977, the Labour Relations Board named the Association the certified bargaining agent for the academic staff, librarians, lab instructors and sessionals employed by the University of Regina, Campion College, and Luther College. In 1986 the administrative professional and technical employees joined the Association, followed by the academic staff of the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College (now known as the First Nations University of Canada) in 1990, the administrative, professional and technical employees of the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College (now known as the First Nations University of Canada) in 1991, and finally the teachers employed in the English as a Second Language Program at the University of Regina in 1992. In 1999, the terms of employment for members of the English as a Second Language Program were negotiated with the academic contract at the University of Regina, and those members are no longer governed by a separate collective agreement.
The principal purposes of the Association are to promote the welfare of the members of the Association, to protect and enhance the freedom and quality of teaching, scholarship, debate, thought and research within the University community; and to represent staff members in matters of employer-employee relations. The Association upholds the principle of equality of opportunity irrespective of ancestry, race, creed, color, national origin, political or religious affiliation or belief, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, and physical handicap. The Association pursues the goals of achieving adequate remuneration, benefits and working conditions for its members comparable to those at other Canadian universities.
ORGANIZATIONThe Association is run on a volunteer basis and depends on the active participation of its members. The affairs are managed by an Executive Committee whose members are elected for two-year terms, approximately one-half elected to take office each year, from various areas at the University of Regina, Campion College, Luther College, and the First Nations University of Canada. The Chair of the Committee is elected by the membership at-large for a one year term. Complaints, appeals and grievances are handled by the Grievance Committee which is composed of representatives elected from various areas of the University. Women's issues are handled by the Status of Women Committee, pension and benefits by the Pension and Benefits Committee, equity issuesare handled by the Equity Committee and sessional issues by the Status of Sessionals Committee. Committees such as the Negotiating Committees are established as required by the Executive. The Association also has membership on a number of other committees. Please click here to see a list of current members serving on our various committees or to see a list of vacancies.
CAUTEvery member of the Association is a member of CAUT and receives all the benefits such membership entails. CAUT was founded in 1950 "to promote the interests of teachers and researchers in Canadian universities and colleges, to advance the standards of their profession, and to seek to improve the quality of higher education in Canada." Some of the issues with which CAUT is concerned are threats to academic freedom and tenure and economic benefits for its members, and has standing committees on these matters. Among the benefits which members receive from CAUT is the "CAUT Bulletin." The "Bulletin" is published monthly during the academic year and provides articles on academic and institutional matters as well as practical guides to such things as income taxes and sabbatical leaves. If you are a member of URFA and are not receiving the "Bulletin" and you would like to have this sent to you, please contact the URFA office (urfa@uregina.ca, 585-4378).
SAUTEvery member of the Association is also a member of the Saskatchewan Association of University Teachers (SAUT). SAUT was rejuvenated in 2003 by the Faculty Associations at the University of Regina, the University of Saskatchewan, and St. Thomas More. The purpose of SAUT is to promote the quality of higher education and provide a forum for sharing information.
MEMBERSHIPAll full and part time employees, other than those excluded by the certification orders from the Saskatchewan Labour Relations board, are automatically members of the local (URFA), the provincial (SAUT) and national (CAUT) associations. Payment of fees is compulsory and although membership in the Association is not a condition of employment, membership is assumed unless specified otherwise. Currently dues are paid monthly at a rate of 1.15% of each members monthly salary which includes all stipends and supplements.
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