Post Archive by Month

You’re looking at your phone right now. Right? A bill for which you pay, each month. But hold on. Hasn’t that same personal device now become one of your primary instruments for virtual teaching this fall? What about your laptop, headphones, microphone, tablet, stylus, speakers, camera, printer, printer paper, hard drive, wireless backups, cloud storage, router, modem, internet service bill? … Read More

Sombre day at the (virtual) office. Nathan Todd, our president, resigned effective 11:59 last night. We knew this was coming for a while now, and we’re absolutely thrilled that he’s accepted a great job with the University of Victoria Faculty Association. He’ll continue to fight the neoliberal university and advocate on behalf of university workers. We’ll miss his insights, dedication, … Read More

The Benefits Committee met during the last week of August and reviewed many U2 applications. The Committee decided not to renew technology funds unless the employer is willing to pay. There are many members who continuously request technology reimbursement for online teaching, and while the U2 Bargaining Team did try to incorporate a technology fund into the collective agreement that is currently under negotiation, … Read More

Drop by on Zoom on Monday, September 21, at 6:00 pm for some U2-specific updates from CUPE 3906. We’ll walk you through aspects of the collective agreement currently under negotiation, and discuss your rights and benefits as sessionals and hourly-paid music faculty. A brief update will be provided about what’s been going on in collective bargaining following our President’s message to members on August … Read More

We continue to pursue legal recourse for those TAs and RAs (in lieu of TAs) who are working out-of-province and are therefore being excluded from the Union by the Employer. It is important to note that TAs and RAs (in lieu of TAs) who are working out-of-province should not decline any work they wish to take because of this ongoing … Read More

The Political Action Committee will be meeting via Zoom on Thursday, September 24th, at 2:00 pm to discuss causes and events for donations, and other ideas for the upcoming year. Any and all CUPE 3906 members are welcome to join as we’re always looking for member-driven input and direction for our work. The Committee is also looking for two new co-Chairs for … Read More

As many of you know, McMaster has conveyed their unwillingness to recognize out-of-province TAs as Unit 1 members even though online course and tutorial delivery have become standard in the context of COVID-19. Of course, this is despite the fact that it was them who advised students and non-essential workers to stay away from campus in the first place. We are continuing … Read More

Who wouldn’t want to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 while also supporting their union?! We have a number of these reusable, non-medical masks available for FREE to CUPE 3906 members. No need to worry about picking yours up from campus; we can send it in the mail. Complete our Face Mask Request Form to reserve your CUPE 3906 face mask while quantities last!

The following message applies to you and please pass this to fellow TAs in your departments if: a) you hold an undergraduate degree; and b) you hold a contract to work as a Unit 1 member in the Fall 2020 term. Please note that our dental opt-out forms and family dental enrollment forms are now available on our website at https://cupe3906.org/tas-unit-1/dental-plan/ The dental opt-out and family dental … Read More

It’s orientation week! Have you heard? McMaster University is telling graduate student TAs living outside of Ontario they are not eligible for membership in CUPE3906! Being excluded from the union puts these TAs at risk of losing important employee protections and benefits all TAs normally rely on. Click here to tell McMaster stop attacking TAs during a pandemic!! https://cupe.on.ca/includealltas/ Have … Read More