Meet Dr. David Gerry, a Sessional in School of the Arts.
He’s taught at McMaster University for about 30 years, has acquired a few advanced degrees in that time (including a PhD), been recognized by the Grammys (yes, you read that correctly), won a McMaster Students Union (MSU) teaching award, but has “no more job security now than when I began.” It’s time for a #BetterMac
Have a look at this video to hear from David what a #BetterMac means to him and why creating one is important.
Welcome back to the thousands of amazing 3906 members who are back for another year, and a hearty welcome to the hundreds of new 3906 members joining our union. Our week began with the Annual Labour Day Parade in Hamilton. What a time!
We’re pleased to have negotiated wage increases for Unit 1 (TAs/RAs in lieu) and for Unit 3 (Post-Docs) that became effective as of September 1st. We also have an updated dental plan for unit 1 members, a new Health Care Spending Account for Post-Docs, and an expanded Professional Development Fund for Post-Docs. Information on these gains will be sent separately. Additional gains for Unit 2 members (Sessionals) will be announced at the conclusion of the bargaining process.
It was great meeting with thousands of you over the past week. Our first General Membership Meeting (or GMM) of the year will take place in late September. Stay tuned for details.
All-in-all, it was a busy week and we look forward to continuing to serve needs of our roughly 3000 members over the 2017-18 academic year.
You’ve probably already seen our #BetterMac campaign, designed to secure meaningful increases though collective bargaining for Sessional Faculty, including job security, improved benefits, and fair wages. Hear why these issues matter to Sessional Faculty, in our first #BetterMac video, featuring Jessica Foran, a sessional in Social Sciences.
Over on our bargaining specific site (bettermac.ca) we have a pledge that we’re asking all Unit 2 (sessionals) to sign. It asks to you urge the administration to stabilize your employment conditions by significantly improving job security through strengthening First Consideration rights, and to recognize the value of your work and bargain in good faith on your wages and to make your benefits sustainable and affordable for members.
We value your support, and the only way to an improved collective agreement is through an engaged and supportive membership!
As you may have heard, the opt-out date for the Unit 1 (TA/RA in lieu) dental plan is September 30th, 2017. New opt-out forms for the 2017-18 year will be available shortly. We appreciate the patience and will post these to our website and message members as soon as the new forms are made available by our dental provider.
Attached you will find an updated bargaining bulletin. Watch your email accounts for correspondence from our mobilizer, Amarjeet as she continues her efforts to ensure that every member of this unit is totally up to speed on the process and has a chance to make their voice heard. You will also begin to see a more public display of our campaign in the coming days and weeks as posters and promotional products will be popping up all over campus in support of our bargaining efforts.
The only path to a good contract and a #BetterMac is through solidarity and community support. Let’s keep the conversation about sessional working conditions going! For more info, please contact akc@cupe3906.org
One of the most frustrating parts of the new semester can be ensuring proper A/V support in your classroom. Here is a AV 2017-18 Info for Classroom A/V Services (CAVS) staff who can help you with any A/V or space issues in your classroom.
Dear Members,
The Union’s most significant decisions are made by Union members at General Membership Meetings (GMMs).
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.
Our next GMM (our last for the 2016-2017 academic year) will be held on Tuesday, August 29th at noon in Togo Salmon Hall (TSH) B105.
Agenda items will include: vote on Unit 3 dues adjustment; approval of funds for Unit 1 mobilizing event + informational materials; updates on Unit 2 Bargaining; as well as the following elections:
As usual, there will be free lunch and childcare costs to attend the meeting can be reimbursed.
Have additional questions? Email staff@cupe3906.org
In solidarity,
Graham Baker, President, CUPE 3906
Attention Post-Doctoral Fellows, your union is happy to announce that it is increasingly the professional development fund entitlement to $125/member, that it is a launching a health care spending account ($125/member per year) for items not fully covered by the SunLife plan, and that the 2017-18 dental plan rate will be a mere $4.00/mth for single coverage. All of these benefits were achieved through collective bargaining. Please check your e-mail for full details, and let us know if you didn’t receive our e-mail blast with this information.
Please find attached a statement from the CUPE 3906 executive, in which we – in no uncertain terms – strongly condemn the white supremacist and white nationalist groups, the fascists, the Ku Klux Klan, and the neo-Nazis who marched on Charlottesville as well as the racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, Islamophobic, anti-Semitic, and anti-immigrant ideologies that fueled that march and are present in both Canada and the United States.