Sessionals, the *new* collective agreement is now available online.

As a reminder, the new agreement secures wage increases that will increase the 3.0 course rate from $7050.00 (present) to $7191.00 effective January 1, 2018, $7407.00 effective September 1, 2018, and will be increased to $7555.00 in the last year of the agreement. Hourly-Rated Sessional Music Faculty – currently earning $62.25/hr – will see their wages increase to $63.50 effective January 1, 2018, $65.40 effective September 1, 2018, and will be increased to $66.70 in the last year of the agreement. This will also be the new hourly-rate for post-contract work for Sessional Faculty.

The bargaining team also secured gains to job security. The current model of First Consideration Appointments, which guarantees two automatic appointments following two consecutive successful applications, will expand immediately to guarantee three automatic appointments. Similarly, the current model of Enhanced First Consideration Appointments, which guarantees three automatic appointments following an additional successful application, will expand immediately to guarantee four automatic appointments.

The newly ratified agreement also provides funds to maintain the Health Care Spending Account, Dental Plan, and Professional Development Fund that the Union administers.

The new collective agreement also secures for members a pregnancy/parental leave of up to 90% for 19 weeks (an increase from the current 45%) and increases the course cancellation fee from $2000.00 to $4000.00 for course cancelled in the two weeks before class (effective September 1, 2018). Sessional Faculty and Hourly-Rated Sessional Music Faculty are now also entitled to paid domestic violence leave that will provide 100% of wages for up to the duration of contract. The Collective Agreement also includes a formal Aboriginal Land Recognition, increased transparency in course evaluations, the introduction of concept of ‘coaching’ to discipline and discharge procedure, and access to a credential training program through MacPherson Institute.

Under the amended Employment Standards Act in Ontario, all employees will be entitled to 10 Personal Emergency Leave days per year, including two paid Personal Emergency Leave days.

The two PAID days supersede any requirements in our collective agreements that would suggest otherwise (such as unpaid or a requirement to make up missed time).

The Mike Skinner Activist Award is a member-mandated award offered by the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 3906 on an annual basis. Its title honours long-time labour activist and former CUPE 3906 Staff Member Mike Skinner.

The value of this year’s award is $500 to one person (or committee), an award certificate and an inscription on the Mike Skinner Activist Award plaque. This award is open to all current members of CUPE 3906 (this includes all Teaching Assistants, Research Assistants in lieu, Sessional Faculty, Hourly Rated Sessional Music Faculty and Postdoctoral Fellows), and anyone who has been a member of the local within the past 12 months.

The nomination period for this award is from February 8^th, 2018 to March 9^th, 2018.

Specifically, the recipient of the Mike Skinner Activist Award may have been involved in the following possible issues over the course of their stay at McMaster University:

• Fighting for social justice issues (these issues are diverse and can include environmental justice, labour solidarity, gender equality, equity issues, and the advancement of peace);
• Promoting the welfare of humanity and the environment and the elimination of pain and suffering through acts of community organizing, education and/or solidarity.

More information about the award is available here, and the Mike Skinner Award nomination form is available here.

All CUPE 3906 members of all 3 units (TAs and RAs in lieu, Sessional Faculty, Hourly Rated Sessional Music Faculty and Postdoctoral Fellows) can attend regular GMMs and get involved in the Union’s decision making processes.

• To enroll family members at a cost of $514.28 per family, please fill out the forms available on this link and provide completed forms and a void cheque or direct debit permission from from your bank to our office, KTH B111, no later than January 31, 2018: https://cupe3906.org/files/2015/12/CUPE-3906-Unit-1-Family-dental-enrolment-Sept-2017.pdf
• To opt-out of CUPE 3906 dental coverage if you have alternative dental coverage through your parents or spouse, please fill out the forms available on this link and provide completed forms, a copy of proof of alternate coverage with your name on it, and a void cheque or direct deposit permission from from your bank to our office, KTH B111, no later than January 31, 2018: https://cupe3906.org/files/2015/12/CUPE-U1-DENTAL-OPT-OUT-2017-2018.pdf

We’re saddened to announce the resignation of our President, Graham Baker. Graham is long-serving 3906 member (and a veteran of the 2010 strike) and a former Unit 1 Chief Steward. After becoming president, he led the local through two rounds of bargaining (TAs and Sessionals) that led to important gains for our members. Our loss is the gain of the Grant MacEwan University Faculty Association, where Graham has taken up a staff representative position. He also returns to his home province of Alberta.

Thanks Graham for your years of service to the local and the labour movement in Hamilton.

We are hosting a 2-day Labour Law course over Reading Week (Feb 20 and 21). The course is FREE and gives and overview of the Labour Relations Act, the Duty to Accommodate, and Disciple/Discharge. It is open only to 3906 members.

If you are interested in more information, or to register, please contact bwalchuk {at} cupe3906.org