Paid Emergency Leave
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).
Mike Skinner 2018 Award Nominations
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 8th, 2018 to March 9th, 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.
Health and Safety and Stormy Weather
As you may know, McMaster University has a Storm Emergency Policy in the case of extreme weather:
http://www.mcmaster.ca/policy/Employee/storm_emergency_policy.pdf
If you feel that the weather conditions are intimidating, you may make alternate arrangements with your department regarding regularly scheduled work. You should not be penalized if you feel that your personal safety is at risk.
There is additional language in our Collective Agreements to protect members from loss of pay in the event of an Emergency Storm Closure (Article 20.06 in Unit 1; Letters of Understanding entitled “Policies Affecting Terms and Conditions of Employment” in Unit 2 and Unit 3). Both the Employer and the Union agree that members shouldn’t risk their personal safety in the line of work.
General Membership Meeting- Jan 31
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.
- President
- Recording Secretary
- Benefits Officer
- Health and Safety Officer
- Undergraduate Officer
as well as elections for
- Health and Safety Committee Seats
- Ontario University Workers’ Coordinating Committee (OUWCC) Campus Rep
- OUWCC delegates
Important message regarding dental coverage change of coverage periods for brand new TAs and RAs in lieu beginning academic programmes in January 2018
If you (i) hold an undergraduate degree, (ii) are just starting a TAship or RAship (in lieu of TAship) this winter 2018 term, and (iii) are just starting a new academic programme this winter 2018 term, this message applies to you.
New members who meet all three of the above-mentioned criteria are able to make changes to their CUPE 3906 dental coverage until January 31, 2018.
- 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/wp-content/blogs.dir/501/2015/12/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/wp-content/blogs.dir/501/2015/12/CUPE-U1-DENTAL-OPT-OUT-2017-2018.pdf
Thanks Graham!
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.
CUPE Labour Law Course- Feb 20 and 21
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
Welcome Back and Happy New Year
Hello Members,
We hope you had a safe and happy holiday and wish you the best for the new year.
Our office (in KTH B111) is now open again. Please note that our Administrative Coordinator’s hours are Mondays to Wednesdays, 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.. If you have non-benefits inquiries, please contact our staff representatives, Nancy or Brad, at staff@cupe3906.org or x 24852 (TAs and Postdocs) or 24056 (TAs or Sessional Faculty).
Or, for non-emergency situations, you can also contact our executive members, whose contact information is available here.
Take care and happy new year!