Job Discussion Forums

[Chinaski]

[kellygreen]

OK first of the week.

CNA NL has posted for all dean positions Except Health Sciences (they were offered and accepted a 3 year contract last June, no other dean was offered the same.)

The dean positions, unlike all previous positions, have been "advertised" on CNA's website ONLY. Previously, ALL college positions in the past 10 years have also been placed on www.careerbeacon.com, a Canadian job website.

BTW CNA NL is also looking for a recruitment consultant for the Qatar project. Applications close this week I believe. Given past experience, the recruiter could be on the ground at the earliest by mid end of May. As they're looking at cutting faculty this may not be a concern. But if you are short listed, don't quit your day job until and unless you have a plane ticket in hand (literally).

Transparency, equity and fairness in recruitment for present incumbents and new applicants seems uneven on all sides.

[kellygreen]

there have been cuts at the University of Calgary. At least 2 were leaving anyways. Some were surprised.

What is worse, they were given 2 weeks to leave the country. Difficult at best in your own country. Stressful at the least in another country that requires in country bank deposits for "potential" credit card debt for 45 - 90 days, closing out of loans etc. (if one has the funds to hand immediately), selling one's car, etc., and facing the spectre of the kafala system, you don't leave without an exit permit from your sponsor (note, not your employer which CNA has been very careful to make a distinction) which can be held up by any of the above or a traffic fine.

Supposedly some at CNAQ have been given a "heads up" to try and alleviate the burden of a 10 day time window to leave the country once they are officially apprised of their termination. Time will tell.

One wonders if CNA NL is prepared for a potential backlash from people being given less than official notice than would be required in Canada
given their contracts were distinctly signed in Canada June/July 2013?

There is a condition in employment contracts that state the State of Qatar has the right to terminate the contract with the college at any time - how does this roll out with individual employees and CNA if the State of Qatar has no direct input on the individual termination?

[kellygreen]

General Staff Meeting called for 11:30 am tomorrow morning. Last day of exams, all are strongly encouraged to attend, cancel other meetings etc.

Apologies made for short notice but "couldn't be helped".

Timing is as per CNA SOP, wait until the last minute before a break (they knew they couldn't do this Thursday as people will be leaving off and on all day) - watch this space.

[ThirstyInTheDesert]

My friends tell me will be a meeting tomorrow. It's going to be an interesting day.

[kellygreen]

This just in. 62 total positions have been axed. As per the usual CNA style, this was announced in the general meeting and those affected "would get an email from their boss to meet" afterwards.

Engineering and Business appear to have avoided any direct cuts but there are several people on 1 year contracts whose jobs haven't yet been advertised.

One hopes that when cuts were being made that management was at least considered as many consider it to be top heavy.

Anyways, the announcement has been made, let the chips fall.

[ThirstyInTheDesert]

A summary of yesterday's events as reported by friends on the scene.

They had a meeting, where the president got up and laid out the general situation. He said that cuts were mandated by the state and all institutions were feeling the effect, not just CNAQ. No town hall, but there is to be one after the break. Counsellors also on campus for those needing a talk.

Cuts totalled 62 positions, a lot of which were EFL. I don't know exact numbers so I won't speculate. One of the EFL depts to be phased out. No EFL jobs to be posted next year at the college. So people with one year contracts aren't being renewed. People who had 2 or 3 year contracts that were released early were chosen on a last in / first out basis.

[Redmaple]