@WORK

Inside this issue

Welcome New Steward .............. 2

NASA 2012 Prize Winners ........... 2

Message from the President ....... 3

NASA Office Closure .................... 4

Civility in the Workplace!

Many believe that civility is a minor consideration in the workplace, especially now when we are pressured by time, having to do more with less and plagued by looming deadlines and demands. Who has time to be polite? Who has time to say please and thank you? And who has time to think about how our behaviour is affecting those around us as long as we’re getting the job done? Whatever the causes, the drop in civility is troubling. It may be due in part to the impact of pop culture or it may reflect the increased work demands that strain our patience. It creates an unpleasant, unproductive work environment. Researchers link lack of civility to absenteeism, turnover and even workplace violence; and research shows that nearly everyone has experienced incivility at work, most talk about their negative encounters to others, and an overwhelming majority believe incivility is a problem. Let’s start to address it by not taking personally what we can’t control, and taking greater responsibility for what we can. It’s not about avoiding conflict when necessary or about simply “pretending to be nice.” It’s about respect, restraint and consideration. When we treat people with kindness and consideration, we show them that we value them as human beings, not just human doings. Civility has just about everything to do with creating workplaces in which people can do their best work. Leaders who operate from a platform of good manners and civility know that: everyone likes to feel acknowledged and important; successful collaboration is not possible without it; and

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December 2012 Volume 1, Issue 5

Louise Rogers, Labour Relations Officer

how they treat their employees will reflect, for good or ill, outside the organization.

Some suggestions for boosting civility in your workplace relationships: 1. Keep the person in mind. Take time to get to know your co-workers. Few gifts are greater

than feeling known and understood. 2. Be respectful, even in disagreement – or particularly in disagreement! It’s not the amount of

conflict or disagreement, but how it is handled. 3. Edit yourself – avoid saying every critical thought when talking about sensitive issues. 4. Be aware of your own “hot buttons” and defensiveness. Self-awareness allows you to

anticipate and manage your reactions. 5. Choose your issues wisely. Don’t argue simply for the sake of arguing. Stepping back and

looking at the big picture gives a better perspective of the issues that really matter.

Don’t wait for someone to be nice to you. To quote Ghandi: be the change you want to see. One person can have a positive impact.

Adapted from 5 Ways to Boost Civility in the Workplace, published February 29, 2012 by Kathie Must; and You’re Not the Boss of Me, published November 7, 2010

(Continued from page 1)

Civility in the Workplace!

P AGE 2

New NASA Steward

NASA would like to welcome Neil Purkess as our new steward. Neil

works at Protective Services.

To see a complete list of all the NASA stewards, go to the NASA website

- http://www.nasa.ualberta.ca/stewards

NASA 2012 Prize Winners

L - R: Diya Shi, NASA President Russell Eccles, Braden Kuny

This year, two University of Alberta

students were the deserving recipients of

the 2012 NASA Prize.

The winners are 3rd year student Braden

Kuny and 2nd year student Diya Shi. Both

winners have a parent who is a NASA

member.

To read the winning essays, go to NASA’s

website - http://www.nasa.ualberta.ca/

nasa-prize

P AGE 3

Is it the end of 2012 already? Every year it seems that the year is over and we are trying to figure out where it went and this past year is no exception. Maybe it just seems to go faster as we get older.

This past year saw a round of bargaining that culminated with a new three year agreement being reached. As well we had NASA Executive Board member elections which saw a new Treasurer, Tanya Martelle and Grievance Chair, Rita John being elected. Len Wampler was re-elected as Secretary (by acclamation) and I was re-elected as President.

It has been gratifying to see the numbers of members that continue to attend our general meetings. Thank you for taking the time to support your union. We have been able to conduct business in a timely fashion and begin projects that have been long overdue such as the review of our Bylaws, which is well underway.

NASA members show up in droves to enjoy the NASA Breakfast in July as well as the Seasonal Celebration in December. It is amazing how, in this season of peace and goodwill and with such a diverse cultural community as we have on campus celebrating different holidays, that the name of the event creates such controversy year after year. This is the season to celebrate in whichever way you do but it is always nice to celebrate together.

I would like to thank all of the volunteers who either help out at our events or give their time to the union by sitting on various committees. NASA is a volunteer driven union and you help make us stronger.

I would like to wish all of you and your families a wonderful, healthy and safe holiday season and to celebrate it to the fullest in whatever way you choose. May 2013 be a lucky year for all of us!

Message From NASA President Russell Eccles

Celebrate the Season

NASA’s 9th Annual Celebrate the Season event was held on Wednesday, December 12, 2012. This year’s

event, the most successful to date, saw upwards of 750 members in attendance. We generously received

donations from 17 individuals, businesses and University Faculties.

Members enjoying the celebration! NASA Membership Chair Donna Coombs-Montrose

CAMPUS MAIL

NASA

Our University Works Because We Do!

1200 College Plaza

8215 - 112 Street

Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E1

NASA

@ WORK is published monthly

cupe1158ds

Phone: 780-439-3181

1-877-439-3111

Email: nasa@ualberta.ca

http://www.nasa.ualberta.ca/

Editor: Deborah Stewart

NASA Executive

Russell Eccles, President

(2012 – 2014)

Heather Green, Vice-President

(2011 – 2013)

Tanya Martelle, Treasurer

(2012 – 2014)

Leonard Wampler, Secretary

(2012 – 2014)

Lilian Campbell, Bylaws Chair

(2011 – 2013)

Donna Coombs-Montrose,

Membership Chair (2011 – 2013)

Rita John, Grievance Chair

(2012 – 2014)

Carl Kolotylo, Reps Council Chair

(2011 – 2013)

Bylaws Review Project -

http://www.nasa.ualberta.ca/current-topics

Check NASA’s website for NEW information!

NASA Office Closure

The NASA Office will be closed from noon

on December 24 until 8:30 am on January 2.

For emergency contact information, call the

NASA Office (780-439-3181) and listen to

the recorded message.