Dear colleagues: The beginning of the 2020-21 academic year has been marked by exceptional challenges. Indeed, these difficulties have been escalating since last March, affecting our economic, professional and personal well-being.
Nevertheless, addressing the workplace concerns affecting our members as a group, as well as concerns experienced by individual faculty members, before, during and after the pandemic, has been and will continue to be the main motivation for FAUST.
The work we do on your behalf in advancing collective and individual well-being in our workplace requires us to foster engagement with you. And we, in turn, promise to continue to be your advocate during this difficult coming year, and beyond.
Currently, we are negotiating a Letter of Understanding addressing workplace issues during the pandemic, preparing for our next round of bargaining, and working on a review of our Constitution. We will continue to reach out to each of you in different forms: including surveys, town halls, and newsletters. Your involvement, as much or as little as you are able to give, is vital in these challenging times.
Each and every voice counts – from attending our meetings, to participating in our surveys, to being involved in the various committees. This is how we can be there for each other – we are stronger together.
In solidarity,
Gül Çalışkan, President, FAUST
As reported in our last issue, the FAUST Executive has created a new position entitled Part-Time Faculty Liaison, in recognition of the special challenges facing Part-Time faculty in the transition to remote teaching in the current COVID-19 environment.
Since their appointment, our liaisons - Janice Harvey (Environment & Society) and Mike Fleming (Sociology & Criminology/Criminal Justice) – report having received many emails from Part-Time faculty in July and August, but that it has been quieter since the beginning of the semester. They wish to remind Part-Timers that their door is always open. In Mike Fleming ‘s words, if you encounter any challenges or difficulties, "please continue to keep us in the loop."
Janice Harvey & Mike Flemming
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Adrienne Wilson
Bonnie Huskins
Faculty Association of the University of St. Thomas (FAUST) promotes the welfare and professional interests of the association and its members. It negotiates, obtains, and preserves employment conditions such as salary, financial security, working conditions, and all matters of employer-employee relations for members of the bargaining units. FAUST actively supports its members in attaining fair working conditions and benefits that foster quality teaching and research. FAUST also protects academic freedom, seniority, and tenure.
FAUST is a certified trade union under the Industrial Relations Act of New Brunswick. FAUST has two bargaining units: Full-time (certified in 1976) and part-time (certified in 1985).
Our Professional Officer, Bonnie Huskins, and our Office Assistant, (TBD) preside over the FAUST office in Edmund Casey (51 Dineen Drive) , Room 211. They can help you with your questions about FAUST and your rights as a member of the bargaining unit. You are also welcome to direct questions to the FAUST President. Please contact Bonnie for further info.