TA Drop-In Session: Thursday, October 29, from 3-6 PM at JHE 328
Your union will be hosting a drop-in session on Thursday, October 29, from 3-6 PM at JHE 328 (Engineering Lounge). All members, both new and returning, are welcome to attend to meet some executive committee members, meet other TAs, ask any benefits-related questions, chat about any concerns you have, and have some light snacks.
Please register at the following link so we have an idea for numbers and can ensure any dietary needs are met: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/jzgCvcy4Gq
All Unit 1 members (TAs and RAs in lieu) are covered under your Union’s Health Care Spending Account, which provides up to $350 in supplementary heath coverage each twenty-four month period. More information about the HCSA, including important eligibility dates and ineligible expenses, can be found here: https://cupe3906.org/tas-unit-1/unit-1-benefits/
As a reminder, our next General Membership Meeting will be held on Thursday, November 26th at 1 p.m. via zoom. A registration link will be sent closer to the date.
We hope to see you on Thursday.
CUPE 3906 Endorses Scarlett Gillespie, Nathan Savelli, and Spencer Naylor
At recent General Membership Meetings, the membership of Local 3906 has voted to endorse Scarlett Gillespie (Mayor- https://scarlettformayor.ca/), Nathan Savelli (Ward 1- https://savelliforward1.ca/), and Spencer Naylor (Ward 13- https://www.snaylorward13.ca/) in the upcoming Hamilton Municipal Elections.
These members each have inclusive, labour-friendly, progressive platforms that will protect the environment and advance the needs of Hamilton’s working-class and most vulnerable.
CUPE 3906 Stands in Solidarity with Ontario Students Against Austerity (ONSAA)
CUPE 3906 stands in solidarity with students across Ontario mobilizing for accessible, affordable, and publicly funded post-secondary education. We support our members’ right to organize, speak out, and demand an education system that serves students and communities, not one that places an evergrowing financial burden on those pursuing an education.
On November 5, 2026, students across Ontario will take action against austerity, including major changes to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), the lifting of the multi-year tuition freeze, and the ongoing underfunding of post-secondary education. Organized by Ontario Students Against Austerity (ONSAA) and supported by allied Campus Unions and Students Associations, this day of action calls for meaningful change, including reversing OSAP cuts and addressing the growing barriers to accessing and completing a post-secondary education.
Students are not just students; they are also workers. Many balance classes, assignments, and exams with paid employment, often in precarious or low-wage jobs, just to afford tuition, rent, food, and other basic necessities. They are our teaching assistants, research assistants, campus workers, residence workers, sessional instructors, and future colleagues. They contribute to our workplaces, our campuses, and our communities while working to build a future for themselves. When education becomes less affordable, the burden does not stop at the classroom door, it affects students’ livelihoods, working conditions, and futures.
As a union representing academic workers at McMaster University, CUPE 3906 recognizes that the struggles of students and workers are deeply interconnected. Accessible education, fair working conditions, and economic justice are not separate issues. They are part of the same fight for a more equitable society. We believe that access to education should not depend on a person’s income or their ability to take on debt. No one should have to choose between paying rent and paying tuition, between putting food on the table and purchasing course materials, or between their education and their economic well-being.
On November 5, we encourage our members and the broader university community to stand in solidarity with students and support their call for an accessible, affordable, and adequately funded postsecondary education system. Their fight is our fight, because a stronger public education system benefits us all.
CUPE 3906
Member Drop-In October 29th
Attention Unit 1 (TA and RA in lieu) Members!
We are hosting a Unit 1 drop-in Session from 3:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. in JHE 328 (Engineering Lounge).
Enjoy some snacks, ask some questions, and enjoy socializing with fellow members!
We have an RSVP form (please see link/QR code below) for you to fill out so that we can estimate the number of members attending, and where you can indicate any dietary restrictions, etc..
We hope to see you there!
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/jzgCvcy4Gq
Reminder: GMM on October 22nd at 1 p.m.
Our next General Membership Meeting, or GMM, will be held on Thursday, October 22nd at 1 p.m. via zoom. A registration link has been sent to your email. Please register at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting to ensure that we have time to approve your attendance. The agenda – once finalized – will be available here: https://cupe3906.org/gmm-materials/
Please note that our next GMM will be held on Thursday, November 26th at 1 p.m., also via Zoom.
Join WAHC’s Youth Council
Are you between the ages of 16-29 and interested in workers’ rights, social justice, and labour arts & heritage? Looking to get involved in your local community? Join WAHC’s 2026-27 Youth Council!
Youth Council members shape WAHC programming & learn hands-on skills by developing a youth-led project throughout the year. There’s opportunities to connect with like-minded workers, and learn about contemporary issues in labour arts & heritage from professionals in the field. Time commitment is 1-2 meetings per month. Members can be local and non- local to Hamilton, ON.
First Meeting: Friday November 6, 2026, 6-7pm PM at 51 Stuart St, Hamilton ON and online. For more information, email Sylvia with questions at sylvia@wahc-museum.ca
Looking for more info? https://wahc-museum.ca/event/wahc-youth-council-information-session/
Enhancements to Unit 2 (Sessional Faculty) Benefits
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/
Judy Darcy Book Launch – Oct 7th at 7 p.m. at WAHC
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.
Equity Action Committee “Union Voices, Community, and Connection” event – September 25th
Our Women & Gender Rights Committee & Equity Committee Fall Event is happening this Friday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, and everyone is invited! We’ll have food and refreshments provided.If you plan to join us, please take a moment to register using this link:
