IMPORTANT! Time-sensitive dental coverage information (including coverage opt-out and family coverage enrollment information)

Mary Ellen Campbell Uncategorized

If you are working as a Classification “A” (i.e., holding an undergraduate degree) TA or RA (in lieu) this academic year (i.e., September 1, 2024-August 31, 2025), you will automatically be enrolled in the CUPE 3906 Unit 1 single dental coverage for the 2024-2025 academic year.
The cost of coverage for the upcoming year is:
Single: $135
Family: $440
Please see this important information letter about the coverage, which includes information about opting out of the coverage and enrolling in family coverage: https://cupe3906.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/501/2024-2025-dental-letter-u1-members.pdf
The deadline to submit change-of-status (i.e., opt-outs and family enrollments) for Unit 1 members working in the Fall 2024 term is September 27, 2024. No change of coverage forms will be accepted after the deadline. (Forms and relevant supporting documentation may be submitted via email to administrator@cupe3906.org.)
For more information, or to obtain copies of the dental coverage opt-out or family dental coverage enrollment forms, please visit https://cupe3906.org/tas-unit-1/dental-plan/
*Note! TAs and RAs (in lieu) of TAs who do not hold undergraduate degrees at the time of their TA/RA (in lieu) appointment are not eligible for dental coverage, and therefore do not need to opt-out of dental coverage.
 *Note! Fall coverage blackout period: Claims that are submitted in September and October may be initially rejected by the insurance company even if you are eligible for dental benefits and are starting your TA or RA in lieu work in the Fall 2024 term. (This is the case for both new and returning Unit 1 members.) This is due to a payroll processing delay and administrative benefit enrollment period and has nothing to do with your eligibility.  If you are not receiving employment payment as TA/RA in lieu until the Winter and/or Spring/Summer 2025 term(s), you will not appear on Equitable Life’s eligibility list [and will have to submit your claims after you start working in the Winter or Spring/Summer term(s)].  If you meet the eligibility criteria and your claim is rejected outside of the coverage blackout period, please contact administrator@cupe3906.org.

CUPE 3906 Fall 2024 General Membership Meetings

Brad Walchuk Uncategorized

Upcoming General Membership Meetings 

Here are our proposed dates for Fall 2024:

  • September 18th
  • September 25th as a possible elections SGMM **tentative**
  • October 23rd – GMM (avoids reading week)
  • November 20th – GMM
  • December 11th – GMM (hopefully before people leave for the holidays)

All meetings will be run from 1 pm until approximately 3 pm and be held remotely, with the exception of the September 25th meeting (which will be in-person).

Woman Life Freedom Event–Today!

Mary Ellen Campbell Uncategorized

Venue: McMaster Student Centre (MUSC, 3rd Floor, 313)

Date: August 15, Thursday

Time: 4 pm – 6 pm

Organizer: Women and Gender Rights Committee (CUPE 3906)

https://forms.office.com/r/rfSgwyc1ep

Agenda:
Documentary Screening
Book Discussion
Panel Discussion
Q&A Session

*Please. register as soon as possible. If the event reaches full capacity, a waiting list will be available, and you will be notified if a spot becomes available due to cancellations.

Beyond Representation: Crafting Inclusive Professional Spaces Through Afrofuturism

Mary Ellen Campbell Uncategorized

CUPE 3906 is pleased to invite members to this exciting event organized by our International Committee!

Beyond Representation: Crafting Inclusive Professional Spaces Through Afrofuturism

Please click on the images below for Information on the sessions!

Venue: McMaster Student Centre (MUSC, 3rd Floor, 313)

Date: August 13, Tuesday

Time: 12 pm – 4 pm

Organizer: (CUPE 3906)

*Please note! REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED: https://forms.office.com/r/F9qpF5yFui

Sessional Faculty- 2023/24 Benefits Update

Brad Walchuk Uncategorized

This is a reminder for Sessionals that the deadline to submit your Professional Development Fund application is August 9th 2024. After this date the benefits committee will be meeting to review all outstanding applications. In order to have your application reviewed in a timely fashion, please ensure you send your completed application and receipts to Benefits@cupe3906.org prior to August 9th. Any applications received after this date may not be reviewed until the Fall 2024 academic term. Please Note that we cannot accept any applications for the 2023-2024 academic year after August 31st 2024.
For information about the fund please visit our website here: https://cupe3906.org/sessionals-unit-2/professional-development-fund-unit-2/
Sessionals also have access to a Health Care Spending Account that offers up to $500 per academic year (reimbursed at 100%). This fund covers items approved by Revenue Canada as health/medical expenses and can be used in conjunction with another benefits plan that you might have access to. With the academic year ending on August 31st, you will want to submit any expenses before the beginning of the new academic year. Your entitlement does not carry over from one year to the next. You can find more information, including the application form, here: https://cupe3906.org/sessionals-unit-2/unit-2-benefits/
You also have access to a comprehensive dental plan that offers up to $1000 per calendar year in coverage (reimbursed at 100%). If you have a contract for fall 2024 any unused entitlement continues into the fall as the plan runs by calendar year (so long as you have a fall contract). However, if you do not have a fall contract, your eligibility will end as of August 31, 2024. You might wish to schedule any needed dental care prior to August 31st. More information can be found here: https://cupe3906.org/sessionals-unit-2/unit-2-dental-coverage/

CUPE General Meeting – July 15, 2024 02:00 PM EST via zoom

Brad Walchuk Meetings

We hope that you are enjoying a relaxing start to your summer. You are invited to our next General Membership meeting, which will be held remotely via Zoom.
When: July 15, 2024 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Health and Safety Payment Form

Brad Walchuk Uncategorized

The most recent Health and Safety Payment form is available here. Please note that the form has been updated by McMaster to include Unit 2 Sessionals. Until Aug 31, 2024 the Unit 1 work is compensated at a rate of $28.98 for undergraduate TAs and $48.52 for graduate TAs; on September 1, 2024 those amounts increase to $29.98 for UG TAs and $49.52 for graduate TAs. Unit 1 members can continue to use the above form until the updated form is available.

For Unit 2 members, the hourly payment is $71.13 (equivalent to the hourly-rated sessional music faculty rate).

For Unit 3 members, you are able to take time off from your regular work duties for health and safety work (without loss of pay), but there is no additional payment.

More information about health and safety can be found here: https://cupe3906.org/about-us/health-and-safety/ 

 

Expanded Technological Entitlement under Unit 3 Professional Development Fund

Brad Walchuk Uncategorized

Based on your feedback from our recent professional development fund survey, the benefits committee has voted to expand the scope of the professional development fund to include technological items required for research and professional development. The overall entitlement remains at $1000 per academic year, but we have expanded the level/amount of technology permitted under that entitlement. In other words someone can now make a $1000 tech claim for approved items (which would amount to 100% of your yearly entitlement). Previous there were limitations on the scope and amount of technological items that were eligible under the fund.
Please note that for these to be considered members must include a short explanation as to why these items are necessary in their application. This change is contingent upon availability of funds and is subject to change. If you have questions please email benefits@cupe3906.org