CUPE 3906

The Benefits Committee met during the last week of August and reviewed many U2 applications. The Committee decided not to renew technology funds unless the employer is willing to pay. There are many members who continuously request technology reimbursement for online teaching, and while the U2 Bargaining Team did try to incorporate a technology fund into the collective agreement that is currently under negotiation, this idea was not supported by the Employer. As such, and given that the the the professional development fund is designated for professional development activities only, the Benefits Committee is unable to make any exceptions during this difficult time. The Committee will continue accepting online applications, but please note that the volume of emails received is higher than usual. We ask that you allow at least 48 hours for the Benefits Officer to respond to any inquiries.

Drop by on Zoom on Monday, September 21, at 6:00 pm for some U2-specific updates from CUPE 3906. We’ll walk you through aspects of the collective agreement currently under negotiation, and discuss your rights and benefits as sessionals and hourly-paid music faculty. A brief update will be provided about what’s been going on in collective bargaining following our President’s message to members on August 31, 2020. You can be new to the union, or an old hat – it doesn’t matter. The key thing is to get to know each other as members and build solidarity for the sake of our teaching (in this virtual university) and for our future (in terms of what collective rights we might or might not achieve for the next two to three years). Let’s build strength in our employment! Bring your questions for our Unit 2 Chief Steward, Sylvia. All members are welcome to attend this meeting in support of Unit 2. The meeting can be accessed using this link. The meeting ID and password can be obtained by emailing chiefsteward_sessionals@cupe3906.org 

We continue to pursue legal recourse for those TAs and RAs (in lieu of TAs) who are working out-of-province and are therefore being excluded from the Union by the Employer. It is important to note that TAs and RAs (in lieu of TAs) who are working out-of-province should not decline any work they wish to take because of this ongoing dispute. Whether or not a TA accepts or declines work that the Employer excludes from the Bargaining Unit by virtue of their out-of-province location does not impact the dispute. It does not hinder or help the Union’s (or the Employer’s) position, so this decision should not be based on any worry that one’s actions will negatively or positively impact the situation.

We are continuing to pursue other options behind the scenes, but in the meantime we would encourage those of you who haven’t already to sign and share this letter telling McMaster to stop excluding out-of-province TAs from the bargaining unit. Expect to hear more updates soon

As many of you know, McMaster has conveyed their unwillingness to recognize out-of-province TAs as Unit 1 members even though online course and tutorial delivery have become standard in the context of COVID-19. Of course, this is despite the fact that it was them who advised students and non-essential workers to stay away from campus in the first place. We are continuing to pursue all available legal avenues and other options, but in the meantime, we would ask that you show your support in at least one of the following ways:

• If you have not already, please sign and share this form letter demanding that McMaster sign our LOU.
• If you know of any TAs who are set to lose their union membership because of McMaster’s actions, please encourage them to share their stories on social media, and be sure to tag and follow us on Facebook and Twitter to help amplify the message.
• Use your own social media to call attention to the fact that McMaster is stripping many TAs of access to free mental health counselling, multiple benefits funds, secure wages, and protections against unfair firing, discrimination, and harassment – all in the middle of a pandemic. Use the hashtag #BetterMac so we know how to find you.
• If you know incoming out-of-province Teaching Assistants who are not yet receiving our communications, please share this information with them and encourage them to get in touch with us via email.

Please be on the lookout for further updates and calls to action as this situation continues to evolve. Your support – and that of the community – will be crucial to winning this fight.

Who wouldn’t want to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 while also supporting their union?! We have a number of these reusable, non-medical masks available for FREE to CUPE 3906 members. No need to worry about picking yours up from campus; we can send it in the mail. Complete our Face Mask Request Form to reserve your CUPE 3906 face mask while quantities last!