CUPE Unit 2 (Sessionals) Dental Plan Information and Deduction

Brad Walchuk Uncategorized

Good afternoon Sessionals,
The premium payments for your dental plan ($115 for single coverage) will be deducted from your October 17th pay. The deduction should be listed on your pay stub as “CUPE Dental.” Anyone who has opted out of the plan should not see a deduction.
For those of you covered by the plan, your individual coverage provides 100% for most standard basic services up to $1,000 per calendar year.
Your dental coverage eligibility period will be backdated to September 1st, 2025 and run through until August 31st, 2026. There might be a slight delay before you are listed as “active” in the dental plan provider’s system as McMaster will need to send them the dental premiums that are deducted.
You can find more information about our dental plan here: https://cupe3906.org/sessionals-unit-2/unit-2-dental-coverage/

NEW: employees can update their chosen/preferred first name directly in Mosaic’s Employee Self-Service (ESS).

Brad Walchuk Uncategorized

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

Brad Walchuk Uncategorized

It is likely most of the September Prosure benefits payments have been held up in the postal system because of the postal strike. This is because early September claims couldn’t be processed until the membership list came out on September 23. Prosure processed them all that day, and then the strike started September 25.  As for current claims (ie/ those made during the strike starting on September 25th), Prosure is holding off on sending cheques out until the labour disruption passes. Effected items include dental plan reimbursement, health care spending account reimbursements, and gender affirmation/reproductive health fund reimbursements.
For professional development claims, which are processed by Local 3906, reimbursement cheques are being held at the CUPE 3906 office (KTH B111) until the end of the strike. You can arrange to pick up your cheque by emailing staff@cupe3906.org to coordinate a pickup time. Otherwise, the Local will be mailing out any cheques that are not picked up at the conclusion of the strike.
Solidarity with CUPW members on strike for a fair collective agreement and a robust network of public post and parcel delivery!

Executive Committee Vacancy – VP External

Brad Walchuk Uncategorized

We have a vacancy on our executive committee for the Vice President External position. This position is open to all Local 3906 members and will be elected at our next General Membership Meeting (Tuesday, October 21st, 3 p.m. via zoom). You can find more about the position on the infographic below.

Strike Committee Meeting – September 11th

Brad Walchuk Uncategorized

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

Brad Walchuk Uncategorized

Join our Women and Gender Committee as they stand united against gender-based violence.

Learn, engage, and take meaningful action to create safer communities. Hear from experts, share your voice, and be part of the change, together, we can make a difference!
 
Date: Friday September 26th 
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

Brad Walchuk Uncategorized

Join us for an exciting CUPE 3906 event designed for our international members!
 
This program will help you strengthen solidarity, develop leadership skills, and connect with fellow members in a supportive environment. Hear from union leaders, gain valuable insights, and take part in discussions that empower you both professionally and collectively. Don’t miss this opportunity to grow your voice and your impact within the union! Friday, September 12th at 5:00 p.m. in MUSC 313
 

Please register in advance here: https://forms.office.com/r/5Jfq7xEYHW

Fall 2025 Sessional and Part-Time Faculty Orientation to Teaching and Learning

Brad Walchuk Uncategorized

The folks over at the MacPherson Institute of Teaching and Learning and hosting the annual Sessional and Part-Time Faculty Orientation to Teaching and Learning. If you’re new to being a sessional, this is a great opportunity to learn more about teaching at McMaster and the various resources that are available to you. Our Lead Steward, Hamed, will also be there talking about your rights and benefits as a CUPE member. If you’re interested, you can register here:
This event is also covered by our Training Fund, which means your attendance can get you $100 from the fund.

September GMM – Tuesday, September 16th at 3 pm

Brad Walchuk Uncategorized

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

Brad Walchuk Uncategorized

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.

https://cupe.ca/weareuw 

It’s time for a fair first contract.