We would first like to thank the Sessional Faculty who attended the Unit 2 Bargaining Support Luncheon yesterday – it was a chance to discuss the role of Bargaining Support as presented by the President, Graham Baker, and to meet the Bargaining Team, including the two Staff Reps, who graciously took time away from their busy bargaining schedule and joined us for lunch.

We now have a Bargaining Support Team (and are still looking for others to join as things progress), and we would like to congratulate Frances Lasowski for being acclaimed the Bargaining Support Chair – Thank you Fran and congratulations!

Once again, a big THANK YOU! to the new members of the Bargaining Support Team for their commitment to this round of negotiations with the employer.

If you’re interested in joining the bargaining support team (with a time commitment that is flexible to your schedule and responsibilities that you’re comfortable with), don’t hesitate to contact our Unit 2 Bargaining Mobilizer, Amarjeet.

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 will be held on Monday, July 17th at noon in Kenneth Taylor Hall (KTH) B104

Agenda items will include: election of delegates to CUPE National Convention and OFL Convention, updates on Unit 2 Bargaining, notice of motion for union dues adjustment for Unit 3.

As usual, there will be free lunch and childcare costs to attend the meeting can be reimbursed.  If you have any additional question, don’t hesitate to e-mail staff@cupe3906.org

In solidarity, Graham Baker- President

Dear Unit 2 (Sessional Faculty and Hourly Rated Sessional Music Faculty),

We would like to extend an invitation to you for a Special (Free) Union Luncheon on Tuesday, July 11th at Noon at the Phoenix so as to set up the Bargaining Support Committee for this round of Unit 2 negotiations. At this luncheon meeting, two co-chairs of the Bargaining Support Committee will be elected as per our By-Laws.

We are addressing this invitation to all our Unit 2 members, including those members who were at the Special General Membership Meeting (SGMM) and those of you with whom we have met in person over the past weeks who have indicated an interest in chatting about the possibility of being a member of the Bargaining Support Committee. The Bargaining Support Committee is an integral and fundamental part of the Union’s Bargaining Process and, among other things, provides support as needed to the Bargaining Team.

    So please join us (even if you’re not sure if you want to commit to joining the committee) and please do RSVP to Toni Xerri, our member mobilizer at tjx@cupe3906.org by the end of the week so we can reserve enough room. Looking forward to meeting you!

Just a final reminder that our June General Membership Meeting is happening today at 1 p.m. in KTH B104.  The agenda will include a motion to make a donation to the Workers’ Arts and Heritage Centre, a motion to send members to the Coalition of Graduate Student Employee Unions, and the election of an undergraduate officer.

At noon, our sessionals will be meeting, also in KTH B104, to ratify our bargaining proposals for this round of collective bargaining.

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 will be held on Tuesday, June 20th at 1:00PM in Kenneth Taylor Hall (KTH) B104

Agenda items will include: report-backs from conference delegates and an update on Unit 2 Bargaining; as well as the following elections:

We continue to canvass the membership for volunteers to get involved with Bargaining Support in anticipation of negotiations toward a new Collective Agreement for Unit 2 members, which have officially begun as of May 4th.

As usual, there will be free lunch and childcare costs to attend the meeting can be reimbursed. Have Questions? E-mail: Staff@cupe3906.org

In solidarity, Graham Baker, President

We’re hiring a temporary administrative coordinator position to cover a leave of absence for a staff member who is working with CUPE National.

This part-time position is scheduled for five months, beginning on July 15th and ending on December 15th. The posting can be found here.

Please apply, and direct any questions, to VP Sarah Wahab.

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 will be held on Tuesday, May 23rd 12:00PM (Noon) in Kenneth Taylor Hall (KTH) B104

    Agenda items will include: approval of several new policies; announcement and presentation of TA Awards and the Mike Skinner Award; update on Unit 2 Bargaining; as well as the following elections:

• Equity Officer

    We continue to canvass the membership for volunteers to get involved with Bargaining Support in anticipation of negotiations toward a new Collective Agreement for Unit 2 members, which have officially begun as of May 4th.

    As usual, there will be free lunch and childcare costs to attend the meeting can be reimbursed.

UNIT 2 Notice to Bargain 

Did you know?  CUPE 3906 President Graham Baker served Notice to Bargain for Our Unit 2 Sessional Faculty and Hourly Rated Sessional Music Faculty (HRSMF)!

We will be negotiating with the Employer throughout the summer months to improve conditions for Sessional Faculty and HRSMF here at McMaster, but we need your help!  If you are a Unit 2 member, please fill out our Bargaining Survey and attend our meetings to have your say about your Collective Agreement!  All members of the Union are welcome and encouraged to support and show solidarity with Sessional Faculty and HRSMF by joining the Bargaining Support Committee.  For more information, please contact staff@cupe3906.org or tjx@cupe3906.org.

We are pleased to announce that the 2017 TA/RA Awards nomination period is now open. Students, employment supervisors, or other TAs/RAs are encouraged to nominate Teaching or Research Assistants (in lieu) for the award. The award comes with a $200 honorarium and there will be a total of six awards given, one for each faculty.

Please submit nomination forms either to the CUPE 3906 office (Kenneth Taylor Hall B111) or via e-mail to chiefsteward_tas@cupe3906.org by April 30th, 2017. The awards will be given out at our May GMM (date TBA)!

CLICK HERE for the PDF NOMINATION FORM!