Sessional Faculty who are teaching this winter for the first time in the 2024-25 academic year (i.e. you did not teach this past fall semester) and who did not opt out of the CUPE dental will see a dental plan deduction of $170 on this week’s pay cheque. This deduction will not be made from those who already taught in fall 2024. The dental plan offers $1000 of coverage with no deductible and coverage is backdated to September 1, 2024. You can find additional information on our dental plan here: https://cupe3906.org/sessionals-unit-2/unit-2-dental-coverage/
We also wanted to take this opportunity to let both new and existing members know about the various benefits that you are entitled to as a CUPE member. Sessional Faculty have access to a Health Care Spending Account that offers up to $500 per academic year (reimbursed at 100%). This fund covers items approved by Revenue Canada as health/medical expenses and can be used in conjunction with another benefits plan that you might have access to. You can find more information, including the application form, here: https://cupe3906.org/sessionals-unit-2/unit-2-benefits/
Sessional Faculty are eligible for $200 per 3-unit course to a Professional Development Fund (to a maximum of $1000 per academic year). Subsequent sections of individual courses taught by Sessional Faculty will be eligible for a Professional Development award of $100 for the first additional section taught and $50 for each subsequent section taught (up to the maximum yearly entitlement).
The Training Fund for Sessional Faculty provides limited, one-time payments (up to $300 per academic year) for members who complete select training through the Paul R. MacPherson Institute for Leadership, Innovation and Excellence in Teaching prior to August 31, 2025. You must have an active contract in the 2024-25 academic year to access this fund. More information, including the application form, can be found here: https://cupe3906.org/sessionals-unit-2/training-fund/
As a Sessional Faculty, you also have access to McMaster’s Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP) at no cost and on the same basis as other employee groups at McMaster. Access was won through collective bargaining and the advocacy and support of members. More information can be found here: https://cupe3906.org/sessionals-unit-2/employee-family-assistance-program/
Finally, the CUPE 3906 Unit 2 Collective Agreement Expired on August 31, 2024. We are currently negotiating a renewal agreement with the Employer. For more information, or to get involved to improve the pay, working conditions, and benefits of Sessional Faculty at McMaster, please visit www.bettermac.ca or contact president@cupe3906.org
