Good afternoon Sessionals,
We have some important updates about enhancements to the benefits available to you as a CUPE 3906 Unit 2 (sessional faculty and hourly-rated sessional music faculty) member. Your Benefits Committee has recently voted to increase your entitlement to both the Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) and the Professional Development Fund (PDF).
These increases are in place for the 2026/27 academic year (retroactive to September 1st and ending on August 31, 2027, at which point your benefits will re-assess the yearly entitlements). Gains to both the PDF and the HCSA fund were secured in our last round of Collective Bargaining with McMaster and would not have been possible without the solidarity and support of Unit 2 members.
Health Care Spending Account (HCSA): Sessional Faculty and Hourly Rated Sessional Music Faculty working at McMaster University can submit up to $1000 in eligible expenses, and will receive a reimbursement of 100% of the cost (to a total maximum of $1000 per academic year). (Previously, the maximum yearly entitlement by academic year was $800 total.) For more information, including details about how to apply and further clarity about the items that are included and excluded, please visit this site: https://cupe3906.org/sessionals-unit-2/unit-2-benefits/
Professional Development Fund (PDF): Sessional Faculty and Hourly-Rated Sessional Music Faculty are eligible for $200 per 3 unit course to a maximum of $1200 per academic year (previously the maximum amount was $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). This fund is intended to assist with expenses related to professional development linked to your teaching that fall into the following categories: Conference Presentations/Participation; Certification or Association Fees; Books/Subscriptions Research and Training; Some teaching Materials/Resources (excluding items found here); and Technological expenses. For more information, including details about how to apply and further clarity about the items that are included and excluded, please visit this site: https://cupe3906.org/sessionals-unit-2/professional-development-fund-unit-2/
Finally, we are pleased be co-sponsoring a book launch of former CUPE National President Judy Darcy’s new book “Leading from the Heart: The Battles of a Feminist, Union Leader and Politician.” The event is happening on Wednesday, October 7th from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Workers’ Arts and Heritage Centre on 51 Stuart St. in Hamilton. The event is free and we hope to see you there. More information is available here: https://cupe3906.org/2026/09/23/judy-darcy/