In this episode of CAAT Tales, we introduce a brand‑new feature: Belonging at the Kitchen Table. Host Julie White kicks things off with a rapid‑fire chat with Lisa Macdonald, one of Local 417’s first part‑time/sessional stewards.

Then, Ekta Singh sits down with Dr. Sephora Kerekou to explore culture, identity, teaching, and the meaning of Black History Month through the lens of resilience and belonging.

We wrap with a Member Spotlight featuring Stacey Airhart and her daughter Aspen, who share their family’s five‑year journey with the 1000 Hours Outside initiative—and how outdoor time builds connection, wellbeing, and joy. This episode closes with a deeper dive into personal leave in our Is it a Gripe or a Grievance segment.

Episode Chapters:

00:00 — Welcome to CAAT Tales
Julie opens the episode and previews our three features: Get to Know Your LEC, Belonging at the Kitchen Table, and our Member Spotlight.

00:28 — Get to Know Your LEC: Lisa
Rapid‑fire questions with Lisa, one of Local 417’s first part‑time sessional stewards. Shoes, storytelling, collectivist values, and why she stepped into union leadership.

17:21 — Belonging at the Kitchen Table: Dr. Sephora Kerekou
Hosted by Ekta Singh. A conversation about culture, identity, teaching, military service, entrepreneurship, and the meaning of Black History Month.

39:46 — Member Spotlight: Stacey & Aspen on 1000 Hours Outside
A joyful look at outdoor family life, wellbeing, and building habits of movement and connection—featuring Aspen’s favourite winter adventures.

49:57 — Closing Reflections
Julie wraps the episode with gratitude and a look ahead.

Want to sign your union card? Visit slcfaculty.ca

Click here for more about the 1000 Hours Outside .

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This week on CAAT Tales, we bring you an episode that balances deep personal reflections with essential union insights. We sit down with Christine Tong, a statistics and psychology professor who shares her "zigzag" journey from being a 15-year-old immigrant to becoming an expert in data analytics. Christine discusses how her background in evidence-based research is helping Local 417 build more efficient systems for monitoring faculty workloads.

We also dive into a crucial Is it a Gripe or a Grievance segment with Gillian to discuss SWF violations and overtime pay. Finally, we travel to the East Coast for a member spotlight with Denise Nielsen, who reflects on her sabbatical research into AI, communications, and the importance of finding authenticity in a digital world.

• Kingston Eats: Why Northern Chinese BBQ is the go-to spot for authentic flavor.
• Simple Joys: Finding peace in pet cuddles.
• Life Lessons: The power of telling your younger self that "it’s okay to fail."
• Cultural Traditions: The "Evil Monkey Spirit" and the New Year's Eve drive to clear out negative "juju."

• Christine details her non-linear career path, including degrees in Biochemistry, Psychology, and Education.
• The transition from a Research Associate at the Cancer Care Institute to teaching at SLC.
• The Reward of the International Stream: Overcoming the "double language" barrier (English and Statistics) to guide international students through their new lives in Canada.

• Why Christine joined the LEC
• Efficiency Project: Using AI and coding to automate the screening of 2,000+ timetables to flag workload violations, saving stewards hours of manual labor.

• The Issue: What happens when you put in extra time due to program staffing needs?
• The Advice: Ensuring you receive proper compensation for "super overtime" (47+ hours) and when to demand a revised SWF.

• Roots & Traditions: Connecting with Irish/Celtic traditions like Imbolc to find grounding.
• The "Chip Butty": A controversial comfort food involving French fries and buttered bread.
• Sabbatical Research: Developing advanced communication modules for graduates, focusing on conflict resolution and interpersonal skills.

• The Shift in Focus: How student engagement with long-form reading is changing and the need for dynamic content.
• Authenticity is King: Why trust and "human-ness" are becoming the most important parts of professional communication as AI floods the market.
• The Power of Step-Back: Why taking a sabbatical is essential for preventing burnout and reassessing your teaching philosophy.

"I took a crazy zigzag path to get here. You get to where you need to be eventually, and the journey is as much part of the experience as the destination." — Christine Tong

"Nobody’s on top of this [AI] stuff. We have to give ourselves the grace to just recognize that we’re in the middle of a hugely transformative time in education." — Denise Nielsen

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This episode features Jay Krawchuk, electrical trades instructor and Local 417 steward, whose 40‑year career spans Manitoba, Alberta, BC, Nova Scotia, and Ontario. Jay shares how regional cultures shape the trades, why labour movements matter more than ever, and how political decisions continue to impact apprenticeship, safety, and job quality.

He reflects on his path from prairie farm kid to educator, the future of trades in an AI world, and what he’s learned from five different unions across Canada. Jay also talks about wrapping up his time at SLC and heading back to Victoria—possibly returning to the classroom once again.

Plus: The 4‑1‑1 on the 4‑1‑7 with quick union updates, and
Is It a Gripe or a Grievance? where we unpack this week’s workplace frustrations.

00:00 — Welcome & Episode Setup

02:45 — From Prairie Roots to the Electrical Trade

07:30 — Teaching Across Canada

13:10 — How Trades Are Valued Across Provinces

18:40 — Politics, De‑Skilling & Protecting the Trade

22:00 — AI, Intuition & the Future of Skilled Trades

24:30 — Stewardship, Solidarity & Union Life

29:40 — What’s Next: Retirement & Returning to BC

32:00 — Is it a Gripe or a Grievance?

35:00 — The 4-1-1 on the 4-1-7

Apply to become a Part-Time Organizer - https://opseu.org/news/apply-to-be-a-part-time-sessional-college-faculty-member-organizer/302855/

Learn more about Local 417 at slcfaculty.ca

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In this episode, We check in with Local 417’s Acting Treasurer Carla Kingston and then turn the microphone over to Local 418 President Amanda Shaw, who led our Support Staff through one of the most challenging years in their history.

Carla, whose experience resulted in the much-heralded Kingston Decision arbitration award, shares her personal journey from part-time teaching to a full-time role, emphasizing the significance of mentorship and advocacy within the union framework.

Then we’ll discuss the evolving landscape of education and labor relations, particularly in the context of budget cuts and privatization. Amanda will delve into the impact of these changes on faculty and support staff, highlighting ongoing challenges and the importance of union support.

The conversation also touches on the future of education, the role of technology, and the necessity of building strong relationships among staff to navigate these turbulent times.

The discussion further explores the implications of the recent support staff strike and negotiations, with Amanda highlighting the need for solidarity among faculty and support staff. She reflects on the importance of understanding collective agreements and the role of stewards in advocating for members' rights.

Chapters

00:59 Rapid fire with Carla Kingston

04:17 Teaching was a Dream

07:33 Delivering Excellence in Supply Chain Management

12:48 The Grievance Behind the "Kingston Award"

20:51 Getting Through the Tough Times to Get To the Good Times

23:43 Is it a Gripe or a Grievance?

25:50 Local 418 President Amanda Shaw Joins the Podcast

29:08 Layoffs Started in October 2024

36:13 How Can Members of 417 Help 418?

38:18 Impact on the Changing Nature of Work

42:27 All Staff in Colleges Are Now OPSEU

Links & Resources:

• Visit us: slcfaculty.ca

• Subscribe: Wherever you get your podcasts

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We tee up an episode full of union updates, opportunities to get involved, and a spotlight on one of Local 417’s most dedicated leaders - Tabatha Rutledge

• Delegate and observer selection for Convention
• Why Convention and Regional Meetings are genuinely exciting (yes, really)
• Virtual vs. in‑person participation
• Travel, childcare, and accessibility supports
• Why these events build real solidarity across Ontario

A quick breakdown of what it means to be a composite local and why the bylaws need updating to reflect equitable representation for all faculty groups.

Where to find the Zoom link (Friday Digest) and how to put your name forward if you can’t attend live.

Julie explains:

• The seven equity-deserving groups
• Who can run (hint: you don’t need to be a steward)
• Nomination deadline: January 26
• Voter registration deadline: February 4
• Electronic voting: February 5–10

A warm, funny, and insightful conversation covering:

• Rapid‑fire questions (Shania Twain, cannonballs, Fraggle Rock)
• Her 25‑year teaching journey
• Why she still nurses on weekends
• The joy of watching students grow
• How she became the longest‑serving member of the LEC
• Her role in membership engagement and provincial work

Tabatha shares her involvement in:

• The Bargaining Advisory Committee
• Save Our Colleges
• Regional and provincial solidarity efforts

We close the episode with this week’s question about a gripe or grievance. And it is one that may warm the hearts (or tempers) of program coordinators!

In this episode of CAAT Tales, the official podcast of SLC Faculty Local 417, we explore the personal and professional lives of our union members. From a rapid-fire session with our Communications Officer to a deep dive into the transformative power of belonging in higher education, this episode highlights the human connections that drive our local forward.

Segment 1: Getting to Know Christina Chrysler

Communications Officer Christina Chrysler joins the show for a "rapid-fire" introduction and a discussion on her dual roles as an artist and a union leader.

• Life as an Artist-Educator: Outside of teaching, Christina is an installation artist and oil painter who lives on 37 acres with alpacas, fainting goats, and chickens.

• The Cyclical Nature of Change: Reflecting on 13 years at the college, she observes that many "new" ideas are actually old ways of operating, noting that underfunding has occasionally forced the institution to stray from its core values.

• Union Leadership & Strategy: Christina details the strategic nature of her role, including preparing for bargaining cycles (the next collective agreement expires in 2027) and using social media to maintain relationships in an increasingly remote work environment.

Segment 2: Is it a Gripe or a Grievance? – Moving Expenses

This segment clarifies member rights regarding campus transfers.

• Key Reference: Under Article 27.15, up to $1,000 may be allocated for moving expenses.

Segment 3: Member Spotlight – The Research of Belonging with Oasis

Muhammad Owais Aziz (Oasis) discusses his PhD research on how educators experience belonging.

• A Unique Path to SLC: Formerly a healthcare professional, Owais moved to Canada to prioritize family time and joined SLC after a spontaneous meeting with the dean where he requested a "free coffee" in exchange for his resume.

• Dynamic Belonging: Owais defines belonging not as a static state, but as a dynamic construct that fluctuates based on daily interactions.

• The Student Connection: A major finding of his research is that students profoundly shape a faculty member's sense of belonging.

• Micro-Interactions, Macro Impact: Owais emphasizes that small acts of kindness, like knocking on a colleague's door to check in or offering a smile, are essential for building a healthy organizational culture.

Segment 4: The 411 on the 417 – Union Updates

• Hold the Date: The General Membership Meeting (GMM) is scheduled for January 29th from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. via Zoom.

• Bylaw Amendment: The meeting will address a motion to amend operational bylaws to reflect the local's status as a composite local.

Stay Connected:

• Website: slcfaculty.ca

• Newsletter: Read the December edition of CAAT Tales for full details on upcoming motions

Chapters

01:35 Rapid fire with Christina Chrysler

04:54 Journey into Teaching and Lifelong Learning

07:27 Watching Change Happen at the College

13:52 Passions Outside of Teaching

14:37 Getting Involved with the LEC

27:23 Is it a Gripe or a Grievance?

28:35 Member Spotlight - Introducing Owais Aziz

36:29 Community and Belonging in Cornwall

45:19 Defining Belonging and Its Importance

49:31 Micro-Interactions and Their Impact on Belonging

51:31 The Impact of Colleagues and Supervisors on Belonging

53:26 Student Influence on Faculty Belonging

57:15 The Role of Mentorship in Student Success

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🎧 Festivities, Faculty, and a Few Grievances  This holiday special brings together warm wishes from stewards, a thoughtful chat on inclusivity, and a playful airing of grievances (Seinfeld-style). We celebrate retiring steward Dan Somers, shine a light on Bill 33’s impact on post-secondary education, and wrap it all in union spirit. Tune in for cheer, reflection, and a call to action—because faculty voices matter all year long.

And for those who love a good cameo - OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick's voice is featured!

01:29 Holiday wishes from the Local 417 Executive Committee

03:38 Tips on being inclusive over the holiday break with Ekta Singh

14:03 Airing of Grievances with Gillian Axten

22:50 Feature interview - Dan Somer's final Motion to Adjourn from the LEC & Retirement from SLC

·       43:04 The Importance of Grievances and Collective Agreements

·       44:41 Navigating Investigations: Strategies for Support

·       46:18 Career Highlights and Future Aspirations

·       47:24 The Evolution of Union Representation

·       49:42 Closing Thoughts and Reflections on Retirement

52:18 What we need to know about Bill 33

54:39 Gripe or grievance: Understanding Professional Development Leave Denials

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Voice of Frank Costanza (played by the late Jerry Stiller): Seinfeld ep. 166 "The Strike" 18 December 1997

In this episode of CAAT Tales, we sit down with Gillian Axten, the Lead Steward for Local 417 and a self-described person who runs on "chaos" and "copious amounts of coffee". Gillian takes us through her journey from working as a guidance counselor and psychotherapist to becoming a fixture at St. Lawrence College—a career move she jokingly attributes entirely to her mother’s influence.

We delve into the "less sexy" but vital backend work of the union. Gillian explains her role as a big-picture strategic planner, detailing her work on the provincial constitution committee and the complex "competitive Sudoku" of scheduling arbitrations. She also shares the story behind the seminal Kingston grievance, a major victory that secured full-time positions across the province, and discusses the strategy behind filing mass grievances to effect change.

Whether she is coaching football, teaching mental health resilience to paramedics, or planning her sabbatical, Jillian’s focus remains on the "collective good". She offers candid advice for aspiring stewards and explains why having an "exit strategy" is actually an act of solidarity for younger faculty.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• The Counselor Who Teaches: How Gillian transitioned from counseling in high schools to teaching mental health and addiction at the college, while maintaining her identity as a counselor first.

• Strategic Stewardship: Insight into the role of a Lead Steward, including policy grievances, the constitution committee, and the disability caucus.

• Historic Wins: A look back at the "Kingston grievance" that changed the provincial landscape for staffing and the strategy behind the mass filing of 80 grievances in 2017.

• The Collective Mindset: Jillian’s philosophy on union work, balancing individual needs with the collective good, and the importance of self-care and exit strategies.

• Know Your Rights: A breakdown of teaching contact hours (maximum 18 per week) and the new increase in complimentary functions to 7 hours effective January 1st.

Links & Resources:

• Visit us: slcfaculty.ca

• Subscribe: Wherever you get your podcasts

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This week we chat with Local 417 President Christina Decarie (1:30) , getting to learn more about her passion for puzzles, how John Anderson made a huge impact on her career and what it's like being the president of the CAAT-A Local.

Then Lead Steward Gillian Axten weighs in on something that most of us have experienced in the past in Is It a Gripe or a Grievance? (34:30)

This week's Member Spotlight comes with a SPOILER ALERT as Professor Polina Buchan (35:56) talks about her passion project and the recent release of The Awesome True Story of Santa. You can find Polina's book at Bookland in the west end of Kingston, at Novel Idea, or online through Indigo.ca, or Amazon.

Finally, The 4-1-1 on the 4-1-7 (48:15) talks about how Local 417 now represents ALL faculty and counsellors at SLC.

With program reductions, enrolment challenges and more stealing our attention, worry spreads faster than facts. In this first episode of CAAT Tales, we talk with Communications Officer Christina Chrysler about why this podcast was launched and what SLC Faculty Local 417 members can expect as Ontario’s college crisis unfolds - and the impacts are felt at St. Lawrence College. Local 417 President Christina Decarie, Vice President Tabatha Rutledge, and Lead Steward Gillian Axten also sit down to unpack the collective agreement, clear up misconceptions, and share how we can face the months ahead together.

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