Follow-up #4 – Coronavirus: Transition to distance learning

Greetings,

The Association has been able to finalize several letters of understanding and continues its discussions with the administration. Here are the last details:

COMPENSATION FOR EXTRA-WORK LOAD AND ONLINE TRAINING AND TLSS SUPPORT

We are continuing our discussions with the employer in order to obtain compensation for the additional work as well as the time spent for the SAEA training. More details will follow shortly.

STUDENT EVALUATIONS

We can now confirm that the student evaluations for the Winter term will not have a prejudicial impact on members. The Association has signed a letter of understanding with the employer for the main collective agreement detailing that low evaluation scores will not be used negatively against members (removal of seniority points, for example) as these evaluations may have been influenced by recent exceptional circumstances.

*** We are currently negotiating a similar agreement for the Toronto / Windsor Campuses and the OLBI unit.

PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO PRACTICE SELF-CARE

We are all used to give our maximum for our students. Nonetheless, please remember that your well-being and health is of utmost important during this difficult period. You’re not superhuman and do not expect the impossible from yourself. Neither you, nor your students, nor the University are well served if you are exhausted. You have a lot of flexibility and options to finish your courses. Choose simple options that reduce your workload and that of your students to complete the session under these exceptional circumstances.

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU

Do not hesitate to contact us to share your experiences or to ask questions. Even if the office is physically closed, we continue our work online in order to provide all the necessary support during this difficult period.

Please also do not hesitate to share your work experiences by email or via the website. This helps us tremendously when we negotiate your working conditions with the University.

SUBMISSION OF FINAL GRADES

The faculties are providing information to students and academic staff about the submission of final grades. It is becoming clear (thanks to those who have contacted us!) that you may receive different information depending on the faculty where you work. What is crucial to know is that you have academic freedom to decide on how best to complete your course. The recommendations provided by faculties do not oblige you to follow exactly what is recommended. We will provide more information about how you may submit your marks.

PETITION

Please take a moment to sign a petition that will be sent automatically to Prime Minister Trudeau and provincial and territorial leaders. Every hour governments in Canada delay in bringing real protections for workers, more people face the risk of contagion and financial devastation. We urgently need Health Emergency Labour Protections (H.E.L.P.): including 21 paid emergency leave days for ALL, greater access to employment insurance and an emergency fund that leaves no one behind.

https://www.15andfairness.org/covid19_help_now

FOR A DISTRACTION

“I Will Survive Teaching Online”

For further information…

From the APTPUO

APTPUO COVID-19 Information Page

Teaching resources for APTPUO Members in light of in-person class cancellation

March 21 Follow Up # 3

March 15 Information Bulletin

From the University of Ottawa:

Coronavirus information:

https://www.uottawa.ca/coronavirus/en
https://www.uottawa.ca/coronavirus/fr