A Message to Our Membership on Events at the Recent AGM

Brad Walchuk Uncategorized

Dear CUPE 3906 Members,

We are writing to acknowledge an incident that occurred during our recent Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on April 7, 2025. While we will not be naming individuals or discussing specifics, we recognize that the conduct at the meeting fell short of the respectful dialogue and democratic principles we strive to uphold. As a result, the meeting was brought to a close earlier than expected.
We know that for many members — including those attending their first union meeting — this may have been a confusing or upsetting experience. We want to be clear: CUPE 3906 is committed to creating a union space that is safe, inclusive, and principled. No member should ever feel that pursuing an elected office puts them at risk of defamation, harassment, or discrimination.
Our Values

Our union is built on the foundations of respect, equity, and due process. These are not just words we read aloud at the start of each meeting — they are commitments we hold ourselves accountable to in every interaction, especially during moments of tension or disagreement.

Our Expectations

We do not condone conduct that humiliates, undermines, or shames members in any public or private forum. All members — including those in leadership roles — are expected to uphold our equity principles and follow our Discrimination and Harassment Policy and Procedures to address concerns.

We encourage all members to use established internal channels to raise and resolve disputes in a constructive and respectful manner. These include:
  • CUPE 3906 Discrimination and Harassment Policy and Handbook
  • Discrimination and Harassment Complaint Form
Supporting One Another

We recognize that this incident may have affected members in different ways. We are here to support you. Below are some resources available to you if you would like to speak to someone or seek support:

We remain committed to fostering a union space where all members — especially those who are new to union involvement — feel welcome, respected, and heard.
Looking Ahead

All matters pertaining to the AGM or election will be handled by CUPE National representative, Sean Lee (seanl@cupe.ca) and CUPE 3906 staff, Mary Ellen Campbell (mary@cupe3906.org).

The President has stepped down and union business will continue to be conducted by the remaining executive members in the meantime.
The continuation of the AGM will be held at noon on April 30th. This date was selected to avoid conflicts with religious obligations, staff scheduling, and the exam period. Details on the updated elections process will be released soon. Please check your McMaster email in the coming days to ensure you are kept up to date on participating.
We thank you for your continued engagement, and for helping to build a culture rooted in accountability, dignity, and solidarity.
In solidarity,
CUPE 3906 Executive Committee