Overview

SAFA Membership Benefits

The Association provides assistance with representation to address individual concerns, counseling and informal grievance resolution when necessary. All members may attend all general meetings and socials, vote at elections and on contract ratification, and receive notices and newsletters.

The SAIT Academic Faculty Association is the exclusive bargaining agent for all academic staff members and appoints faculty members to the Negotiations Committee. The Negotiations Committee negotiates a collective agreement on behalf of all faculty members. When a collective agreement is in place, the Association and the Employer meets at least once a month through the Joint Advisory Committee to review and discuss matters referred by, or of concern to, either party relating to the collective agreement.

Executive Committee and Faculty Council

The SAIT Academic Faculty Association is required to have an annual election prior to June 15 each year to elect an executive committee to manage the business and affairs of the Association. The Executive consists of the President, the Secretary-Treasurer, a representative of the previous Executive and divisional representatives, all of whom have voting rights. Two faculty representatives are elected for a two year term to the SAIT Board of Governors. There are six faculty representatives appointed to Academic Council.

Faculty Council provides two-way communication with the SAFA members in each department; carries out requests of the Executive and Faculty Council in terms of distributing information to and seeking information from the department; provide guidance and support to instructors with concerns or problems; promotes faculty involvement in SAFA affairs and those issues at SAIT in which faculty should be involved. Faculty Council is made up of four divisions:—

Division I:  Construction, Manufacturing & Transportation

Division II:  Information & Communication Technologies, Mac Phail School of Energy

Division III:  Health & Public Safety, Business, Hospitality & Tourism, Centre for Academic Learner Services.

Division IV:  Librarians, Educational Counselors, Centre for Instructional Technologies & Development

Membership & Dues

For the operation of the SAIT Academic Faculty Association (SAFA) to be possible, it must have an adequate financial base. It is for this reason that Secondary Learning Act authorizes and requires all instructors at all the Post-colleges and technical institutes in Alberta to associate professionally and toward that end, to set, collect and manage dues from all those employees at the institute offering instruction under SAIT auspices. Instructors at SAIT are required to pay SAFA dues which are 1.3% of your gross earnings. SAFA dues are an eligible income tax deduction in the professional dues category. Your pay stub should identify the deduction as SAFA dues.

ACIFA, or the Alberta College Institutes Faculties Association, was created to represent the member association on matters of provincial, national and international scope while recognizing the need to preserve the autonomy of members. Perhaps the most valuable aspect of ACIFA lies in the opportunity for faculty association presidents, negotiating team chairs, and professional development coordinators to meet regularly and exchange information with others in similar positions, and gain an understanding of what is happening at other institutions, and of what trends might be developing. ACIFA provides expert legal advice, professional development opportunities, sponsors the ACIFA Award of excellence recognizing the efforts of outstanding instructors. ACIFA implemented the Climate Survey which identifies areas where faculty and administration can build on the strengths of the institution and work together to improve areas which are weaker. ACIFA seems to provide more tangible benefits through the Supplemental Pension Plan and offers special insurance rates through MORGEX Insurance.

Annual General Meeting

The annual general meeting is held in June each year. The purpose of the meeting is to introduce the new Executive, present the proposed operating and capital budget, the adoption of dues, election of an independent outside auditor.

SAFA Office Staff

The SAFA office administrator and part-time administrative office assistant provide the day-to-day administrative and clerical needs for the association in supporting the executive committee, faculty council and all of the standing committees. The office staff are available for any questions and will schedule an appointment with the president or grievance officer.

Visit us at the SAFA office - N201 in the Senator Burns Building or you can reach us at 284- 8321, fax at 284-0005 or e-mail: safa@sait.ca.