Welcome to Marlboro Country

By Kelly Gorkoff, Criminal Justice Studies, UWFA Communications Committee

Welcome to Marlboro country.

We are living firmly in marketable times. The swoosh, the arches, the ever-so-slightly bitten apple, the Starbucks Siren—the familiar logos of our time. These brands don’t just deliver information about the product, nor do they simply make us desire and demand it. Rather, they build an image or brand essence and we position ourselves in and through them, emotionally and materially. Brands work like semiotic messages. They ignite curiosity and encourage consumption. Remember, IBM isn’t selling computers; it’s selling business solutions. Are you a Mac or a PC? Whichever you are, Don’t leave home without it. And remember, Nothing comes between me and my Calvin’s. Branding is not just about catchy tag lines. It’s a much more complicated business. As the documentary Merchants of Cool reveals, branders manufacture the coolness of youth back to the young in a never-ending feedback loop. It becomes almost impossible to tell which came first: youth anger or the marketing of the angry teenager.

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RAS Collective Bargaining Consultation Meetings

Dear UWFA Members,

 

As was stated in the recent UWFA Newsletter (www.uwfa.ca), the collective agreement between the University of Winnipeg and the Regular Academic Staff Bargaining Unit of UWFA expires on March 30th, 2013.  To prepare our mandate for this upcoming round of collective bargaining, your input is essential.  We have set aside times to consult with the following groups at the following times:

 

Librarians - November 12, 12 - 1 pm, 4M52 (UWFA office)

Coaches, Counsellors & Instructors - November 14, 12 - 1 pm, 4M52 (UWFA office)

Term Appointments (Sessionals) - November 19, 12 - 1 pm, 4M52 (UWFA office)

Department Chairs - November 26, 12 - 1 pm, 4M52 (UWFA office)

 

Open meeting for all interested members - Dec 5th, 12:30 - 2 pm (4C60)

Untenured academic staff - Jan 10th, 1 - 2:15 pm, (1M28)

Untenured academic staff - Jan 11th, 12:30 - 1:30 pm, (4C40)

Tenured academic staff - Jan 17th, 1 - 2:15 pm, (1M28)

Tenured academic staff - Jan 18th, 12:30 - 1:30 pm, (4C40)

 

Please join us at one of the consultation sessions to share your concerns and priorities for the next collective agreement. If you are unable to attend any of the meetings, you may send a written submission to uwfa@uwinnipeg.ca.

 

See you soon,

Pauline Pearson

UWFA President

Message from the President

Welcome to our first UWFA newsletter of the 2012-13 year. First, my thanks to the Communications Committee! If you are interested in joining this committee or have any suggestions about how UWFA communicates, please contact Tracy Whalen (t.whalen@uwinnipeg.ca). 

SPRING 2012

UWFA’s AGM

I begin with updates of UWFA activities since our last newsletter. In April, UWFA held its Annual General Meeting.  In addition to the usual updates on the finances of the Association and the work of UWFA Committees, Joe Dolecki of the Brandon University Faculty Association joined us to discuss their negotiations and strike. In addition, the Policy, Bylaws and Constitution Committee introduced a number of changes to the UWFA Constitution aimed at increasing the capacity of UWFA to protect and represent the rights of Members.

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