The expansion and renovation of Place Riel at the University of Saskatchewan is scheduled to begin April 1, 2009 and will continue for about 18 months. This construction project will result in a four-storey addition to Place Riel, replacement of the existing escalators with an expanded staircase, increased seating and office space, a new integrated food court, and improved traffic flow.

Starting Friday, September 5, all three entrances to the B-Wing of the Health Sciences building will be closed during construction of the new Academic Health Sciences Project.

As outlined in the return to work agreement in the University's tentative agreement with CUPE 1975, employees will be returning to work on Monday, December 3. It will take a few days for normal operations to resume on campus and we appreciate your continued patience.

The University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina are pleased to report that a Tentative Agreement has been reached with CUPE 1975.

In response to numerous enquiries, University Administrators and College Deans have provided the following information regarding final exams and other academic services as we complete Fall Term 1 and head into final exams. If you have any questions, please direct them to your College Office.

Today, Tuesday, November 27, striking members of CUPE 1975 voted by secret ballot to reject the latest contract offer put forward by the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina.

For the latest information on the status of CUPE Bargaining, please see today’s Collective Bargaining Update on the Human Resources web site at http://www.usask.ca/hrd.

Students who use exam accommodations are reminded that Nov 19 is the deadline for submission of exam accommodation requests for December final exams. During the labour disruption exam accommodations will be provided as scheduled.

University of Saskatchewan Students,

Thank you for your continued patience during the CUPE labour disruption and all your efforts to assist continued campus operations. The University is making every effort to limit disruption to academic programs and services, and we appreciate your assistance and support.

Please note that library hours will be reduced over the long weekend. However, extended hours will begin on Tuesday November 13.

Saturday November 10
Education and Law Libraries: open 10 – 4 as a study hall
Engineering, Health Sciences, Murray, Natural Sciences, Vet Med Libraries: closed

Sunday November 11
Health Sciences and Murray Libraries: open 10 – 4 primarily as a study hall
Education, Engineering, Law, Natural Sciences, Vet Med Libraries: closed

Monday November 12
All libraries are closed in lieu of Remembrance Day.

Beginning on Tuesday November 13 until Thursday November 15, the Murray Library will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

For more information about library hours, visit https://library.usask.ca/hours and watch for updates on this blog, the PAWS homepage or the Student Update.

St. Thomas Moore College library and food services are fully operational.

The STM library regular hours are:

Monday to Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 12:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday 12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Closed Monday, November 12, 2007.

For more information about the STM library, visit http://www.stmcollege.ca/library.html

Choices, the STM cafeteria, has their weekly menu posted http://www.stmcollege.ca/food_services.html

Libraries across campus will be open from 10 am to 4 pm primarily as a study hall with access to the stacks. Students who can make use of the electronic collections are encouraged to do so as they are available online at https://library.usask.ca/resource. Other services are reduced, with some services (Special Collections and University Archives) offered by appointment. Please visit https://library.usask.ca/hours or this blog for regular updates on library hours and services.

If you need a student card, the Card office will be open regular hours: 1:30 – 4:15 Monday to Friday.

On October 25, 2007, after three days of conciliation, the Universities of Saskatchewan and Regina presented CUPE with a settlement offer in an effort to bring bargaining to a conclusion. Conciliation ended on the evening of October 25, despite significant movement by the Universities on the issues CUPE indicated were of the greatest importance. CUPE 1975 is currently taking strike action.

This is where you'll find information about the availability of food services, libraries, the PAC, parking, printing, deliveries and more. Listed in alphabetical order, updates will be made as information becomes available.

CUPE 1975 has indicated it will re-establish a picket line at the perimeter of the University of Saskatchewan campus the week of November 5 – 9 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. On Friday, November 2, the University of Saskatchewan posted an explanation of the outstanding issues in the CUPE 1975 collective bargaining process. I encourage you to visit blogs.usask.ca/updates to review this information.

The University will be open this week, operating with reduced services. Safe provision of academic programs and services remains the priority during CUPE job action. I appreciate every effort to limit interruptions to regular University operations.

To keep you apprised of the impact of current labor disruption at the University of Saskatchewan, please review the following information:

• Classes will be held as scheduled in the regular location unless alternative direction has come from your professor.
• Libraries will be open for reduced hours as study halls only. Please check the website at https://library.usask.ca/ for branch hours and circulation information. Electronic collections will be available 24 hours daily.
• Provisions will be made to provide student access to both the Bookstore and Student Card office. Hours of operation will be posted on blogs.usask.ca/updates.
• Campus food services will be limited. Members of the University community are encouraged to bring meals and pack out their garbage.
• The Physical Activity Complex (PAC) hours and services are limited – check the PAC website at http://kinesiology.usask.ca/community-programs/ for hours and access information.
• Campus recreation programming will continue in a limited capacity. Updates on activities can be found on the website at http://kinesiology.usask.ca/campus-recreation/.
• City Transit services will still operate, though drop-off and pick-up points will be restricted to College Drive and Preston Avenue.
For a comprehensive list of updated information about campus services, please visit blogs.usask.ca/updates.
Should students have questions or difficulties with any campus services, picket line protocol or inquiries about the labor situation, please call 966-6510.

Thank you.
Dave Hannah
Associate Vice-President Student Services

At 7:00 a.m. Friday, November 2, CUPE 1975 staged a full scale walkout and scheduled 12 hours of picketing to conclude at 7:00 p.m. At this point, we are unaware of further scheduled picketing. CUPE continues to be in a general strike position.

The University of Saskatchewan is committed to ensuring the health and safety of all people on campus who are dependent on our services, with special attention to patients, students, staff, and animals. We remain fully committed to reaching a collective agreement with CUPE 1975 as soon as possible.

Please visit this website regularly or call 966-6501 for up to date information.

CUPE 1975 will commence tomorrow morning at 7:00 a.m. with a full-scale walkout. The University will strive to maintain academic programs during this labour disruption.

The University is committed to providing academic programming and services that support your academic success. You should be able to attend class and complete any necessary course work. Any changes to classes should be communicated to students by your instructor. Professors have been asked to maintain class times and locations to minimize disruption.

Here are some things to keep in mind during the current labour disruption:

• The University will attempt to maintain student services, however it is possible that more time may be required to provide services in some areas and students should be prepared for delays.

• Information Technology Services such as PAWS are expected to continue. PAWS announcements will be used as a means for communicating updates to students.

• Students who are also CUPE 1975 employees should be particularly aware of their rights and responsibilities. Please see "Facts for University Employees in CUPE 1975" for more detailed information.

• Everyone, including students, can cross a picket line. Students should be aware that access to campus for vehicular traffic may be disrupted. If driving, students should allow extra time to access parking on campus or consider parking off campus.

• Students may find alternate forms of transportation such as buses more effective during labour disruption. We have been informed by City Transit that buses will not cross picket lines and therefore bus passenger drop off and pickup locations will be moved to College Drive. Access Transit services will continue to provide on campus service as required.

• A listing of access to campus services will be posted to this site each morning and updated as necessary.

Picket line protocol is also posted on this site. PAWS will continue to be regularly updated. Call 966-6510 if you have additional questions.

David Hannah,
Associate Vice President, Student & Enrolment Services

A striking union has a right to picket during a legal strike. A picket line is established to advise people that a strike is in progress. It is perfectly legal for people to cross the picket line or choose not to. Picketing is generally allowed in public places such as on sidewalks and around public buildings.

The University will enforce its right to restrict picketing to the perimeter of the campus

Picketers may not block driveways or access to property, prevent entrance to buildings, use abusive or threatening language, or throw any objects. These types of actions are illegal and may be subject to criminal charges or other legal action.

The employer has a right to apply for an injunction in cases where illegal striking activity occurs, such as:

• Obstruction of normal entry into and out of the employer’s premises
• Use of force or threatening language or gestures to prevent entry to the workplace
• Nuisance behaviour
• Trespassing on the employer’s premises
• Interference with employees who are at work.
• Interference with the property of the employer or other employees
• Carrying signs containing libellous statements
• Interference with staff required to perform duties to ensure services are maintained
• Threats of damage or violence to any person or property
• Any acts considered to be illegal

Picketers are legally permitted to:

• Carry signs stating the nature of the dispute, providing that the information is truthful.
• Ask you to honour their picket line, however they cannot be verbally or physically threatening to enforce the request.
• Keep moving, large groups of picketers are not allowed to block entrances such that people cannot enter or exit the building.

Harassment and Personal Safety

The University is responsible for providing a safe environment, free of violence and harassment. At no time will violence or harassment be tolerated from those on the picket line or those who cross the picket line.

Personal safety during a strike is also a concern for everyone, including staff, students, and clients. It is important to be aware of situations where you may become hurt or in danger of becoming hurt. Be aware of those who are around you and what they are doing. Alert Campus Safety at 966-5555 if you feel that you are being harassed, followed or are receiving threats from others.

If personal safety is compromised, an investigation will occur and the appropriate action will take place. It will be important to track the date, time, location, action(s) observed, names of witnesses and identification of alleged offender(s).

The University of Saskatchewan was made aware November 1 at 7 p.m. that CUPE 1975 is informing members and the media that a full scale walkout will begin at 7:00 a.m. on Friday, November 2. Further information will be posted to this site as details become available.

The University of Saskatchewan is committed to ensuring the health and safety of all people on campus who are dependent on our services, with special attention to patients, students, staff, and animals. We remain fully committed to reaching a collective agreement with CUPE. For further information, please call 966-6510.