NEW: employees can update their chosen/preferred first name directly in Mosaic’s Employee Self-Service (ESS).
As part of the McMaster’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion and service excellence, and in collaboration with University Technology Services (UTS), the Office of the Registrar’s Office, Equity and Inclusion Office, and community partners, the employer has announce a new enhancement to Employee Self-Service (ESS) in Mosaic. Your Union is supportive of this and encourages people to have their chosen or preferred name reflected in MOSAIC. We have already bargained language around being able to use a preferred name and secured language to prevent misgendering.
Starting October 6, 2025, employees can update their chosen/preferred first name directly in Mosaic’s Employee Self-Service (ESS).
On November 3, 2025, their display name in Microsoft 365 applications (Outlook, Teams, etc.) will automatically match the chosen/preferred first name in Mosaic.
What’s Next: Starting Monday, October 6, employees are encouraged to review and update their chosen/preferred first name in Mosaic before November 3. After that, one’s chosen/preferred name in Mosaic will automatically sync to Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Teams).
Why This Matters: This change streamlines processes and supports an inclusive campus experience by allowing individuals to be addressed by the name they identify with — without contacting support or navigating multiple systems.
Questions: For support, please contact the Employee Contact Centre: hr.mcmaster@mcmaster.ca or call 905-525-9140 x222HR
Update on reimbursement cheques during postal strike
Strike Committee Meeting – September 11th
As you may know, a Unit 4 (Residence Life) strike vote was held a couple weeks ago, and members responded 90% in favour of striking if talks break down at the bargaining table. Following this strong mandate delivered by Unit 4 members, we are now forming a Unit 4 Strike Committee to organize and plan for a potential strike.
The first Strike Committee meeting will be this Thursday, September 11th, at 5:00 PM. The meeting will be held in-person at the CUPE 3906 office located in the basement of Kenneth Taylor Hall (Room B111). Membership in the Strike Committee is not limited to Unit 4 – members of any Unit are invited to join the Unit 4 Strike Committee.
Notwithstanding, all Unit 4 Members – PAs, GRAs, ROAs, GCLs, and CAs – are strongly encouraged to join the Strike Committee as it is your Unit that is facing a potential strike.
At this meeting we will be elected Co-Chairs, assigning strike duties, scheduling mobilizing activities, and having early discussions about strike planning and strategy. Whether you are a longstanding member of CUPE 3906 or brand new to our Union, we encourage you to attend!
If you are unable to make the meeting but are interested in joining the Strike Committee, please email catchair@cupe3906.org so we can let you know about future meetings.
Women and Gender Committee Event Against Gender-Based Violence
Join our Women and Gender Committee as they stand united against gender-based violence.
Time: 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Venue: MUSC 313
For any questions, contact Chair of the committee, Kusum Bhatta at womenscommittee@cupe3906.org
Please register in advance here: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=B2M3RCm0rUKMJSjNSW9HciYLKJLoppVLooLI2VaeVYBUOEVWU0dFU1EyMERIMUtMWEIyQlVFNkJEVC4u&route=shorturl
International Committee Event – Friday September 12th
Please register in advance here: https://forms.office.com/r/5Jfq7xEYHW
Fall 2025 Sessional and Part-Time Faculty Orientation to Teaching and Learning
September GMM – Tuesday, September 16th at 3 pm
Our first General Membership Meeting, or GMM, of the fall semester will be held on Tuesday, September 16th at 3 pm. The meeting will be held remotely via zoom and a registration link will soon be sent to your McMaster email address. The agenda will be posted in advance of the meeting. We hope to see you there.
Support Sessionals, TAs, and RAs at UWaterloo
The situation is serious enough that more than 3000 sessional instructors, graduate teaching assistants and research assistants at UW organized and voted to form a union. Now, several years later, they are still fighting for our first contract. Until the end of August, the university refused to even schedule dates to negotiate with graduate student Teaching and Research Assistants.
What they’re fighting for is fairness, respect, and liveable wages. Their fight is for better teaching and research conditions that directly lead to better learning conditions and outcomes. They want better student to instructor ratios, funding that allows them to complete and share our research, and enough paid time that they can truly support students.
Right now, many of them are relying on food banks just to get by. Allocated hours for tasks like marking are limited, so undergraduate students get less useful feedback. They’re running to second jobs to pay the bills, which takes away from their ability to spend time helping students in need.
It’s not healthy, it’s not sustainable, and it’s not what a world-class university does.
Please, send a message to UW administration and show your support for the university’s academic workers in CUPE 5524.
It’s time for a fair first contract.