Unit 2 Collective Agreement Ratified
Members of CUPE Local 3906, Unit 2 have ratified a new Collective Agreement with the Employer. The tentative agreement, ratified by 88%, was secured following two days of conciliation in late November. CUPE Local 3906, Unit 2 represents close to 500 Sessional Faculty and Hourly-Rated Sessional Faculty at McMaster University.
The new three-year collective agreement – in place until August 31, 2020 – provides important gains to members, although it falls short of everything we hoped to achieve at the outset of bargaining. While we did not secure the $8000.00 per course we hoped for or the six automatic First Consideration Appointments we proposed, improvements were made on both of these fronts.
The new agreement secures modest 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.
Contact:
Sam Oort, National Representative- soort@cupe.ca
Graham Baker, President, CUPE Local 3906- president@cupe3906.org
Brad Walchuk, Staff Representative and Chief Negotiator, CUPE Local 3906- bwalchuk@cupe3906.org
Unit 2 Ratification Vote Information
Unit 2 (Sessional Faculty and Hourly-Rated Sessional Music Faculty Members),
Saddened to Announce the Passing of David Gerry
We’re saddened to announce the passing of David Gerry, a long-time sessional faculty at McMaster University and member of the Canadian Union of Public Employees. David was also an elected member of the Unit 2 bargaining team, which recently secured a tentative agreement with the Employer.
Our deepest condolences go out to his many friends and students, and especially his mother Lucy and his husband Johnathan. Below is a passage from Judith Shedden, a faculty member at Mac and a close friend of David’s:
“With great sadness we tell you that our David passed on this evening. He went peacefully and without pain. His passing was more beautiful because his beloved Sara Traficante was here to play for him, with the gold flute that he left her. She played for him for close to an hour and it was so beautiful. The last piece she played was the Largo e dolce from Sonata in b minor by JS Bach. David exhaled his last breath on the final cadence.”
Holiday Office Closure
Update on Unit 2 Bargaining Team Member David Gerry
Unit 2 Professional Development Fund: Due December 6th
Applications to the Unit 2 (Sessional) Professional Development Fund are due by December 6th, 2017. Please ensure your applications are submitted in hard copy to the union office (KTH B111) by then. Details are here.
Tentative Agreement Reached- Unit 2
Healing With Feelings: Queer Poetry Night
CUPE 3906’s Equity Action Committee is proud to announce that we will be hosting a Queer Poetry Night event as part of a larger initiative titled “Healing With Feelings.” These events are opportunities to meet new folx, engage with each other’s creative works, and heal collectively from intersecting oppressions. Please join us on Thursday, November 30th at The Staircase (25 Dundurn Street North, conveniently located near a transportation hub). The doors open at 7:00PM until 10:00PM. Unfortunately, the space is not wheelchair accessible, but moving forward we will ensure that all future events are held at accessible locations.
Even if you’re not reciting any poetry, this event is meant to show support and solidarity to your fellow peers. If you’re interested, we have 14 available slots to choose from. Please sign-up at the link below by including your name in the comments section: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0c4daaaa28a7f85-queer. We will also host an open mic for the last 30 minutes of the event.
Here is the link to the Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/143659373024560/
We look forward to seeing you there!
Statement from the Executive Committee regarding the proposed ‘Smoking Ban’
Here is a statement from the Executive Committee regarding the proposed Smoke Free policy.