Unit 1 (TAs/RAs in lieu) Dental Information Update 2015-16

Brad WalchukGeneral

Information for Unit 1 dental benefits, including eligibility, updated  premium rates, opt-out provisions, family coverage information, and deadlines is now posted on-line.

The 2015-16 rate for single coverage is $12.43/mth, while family coverage is $77.19/mth.  The opt-out and family enrollment deadline is Wednesday, September 9th at 4:00 p.m. This is a firm deadline. Please note if you are opting-out or enrolling in family coverage, it must be done each year.

Full information can be found here

Unit 1 Dental Update: 2015-16 coverage and eligibility

Brad WalchukGeneral

Please note that we are in the process of updating our Unit 1 dental forms for the 2015-16.  The reason for the delay is that the Employer informed us in July that they planned to take 100% of the dental premiums (12 months worth of premiums) off of the first paycheque in September.  At our July General Membership Meeting, the members in attendance unanimously said “no!” to this costly proposal.  Previously, 12 months of premiums were collected over the duration of one’s employment (8 bi-weekly installments for those working in only one term, or 16 bi-weekly installments for those working fall and winter).

Allowing 12 months of deductions to be taken off in full on a single pay period would be financially crippling to many of members, especially in light of recent changes to scholarship payments which paid them out in full in May 2015, which have meant that many of our members have been without income over the past three months. This would have meant that over $144 would have been deducted off the first pay period, a time when grad student employees are also paying supplemental fees, textbooks, and a large chunk of tuition.

Since late July, we have been negotiating a more equitable and affordable means of collecting the premiums.  This has resulted in an inability to publish any updated forms for the 2015-16 academic year.  In the meantime, should you need to enroll in family coverage or opt-out of the plan, please use the forms from 2014-15, which are available in the Unit 1 Benefits section of our website.  Please note that the rates have increased to $12.43/mth for single coverage and $77.19/mth for family coverage.  The duration in which those premiums are to be deducted is still in the process of being negotiated, but we have firmly refused to have them deducted in full on the first pay period as the Employer originally proposed.

Reminder: New Faculty Workshop

Brad WalchukGeneral

New sessionals (this includes anyone who has been employed for 3 years or less as a sessional) are invited to a New Faculty Welcome on August 27th at the Faculty Club. The event begins at 8:30 and ends after a complementary lunch.

CUPE Local 3906 and the McMaster Institute for Innovation & Excellence in Teaching & Learning (MIIETL) are also hosting a workshop for new sessionals on October 9th.

These events are not one-on-one orientations with your Department Chair, which we believe are a vital part of the orientation process at McMaster.

All events are free and can be registered for at:

New Faculty Welcome: https://2015nfo.eventbrite.ca

Fall Workshop Series: https://2015nfoworkshops.eventbrite.ca

2015 McMaster Teaching and Learning Forum

Brad WalchukGeneral

The 2015 McMaster Teaching and Learning Forum date and sessions have been announced.

Join us in MCDL 3023 on Thursday September 3rd from 9:30 to 10:20 or 10:30 to 11:20 for a session entitled “Knowing your rights, benefits and obligations as a CUPE 3906 member”

For more information, please see: http://miietl.mcmaster.ca/site/teaching-learning-forum/

 

Pay Period Change for Unit 2 Members (Sessionals)

Brad WalchukGeneral

Attention Unit 2 members: The university is now paying a 3.0 unit course over 8 pay periods, instead of 7. This is allowed under the terms of the collective agreement, and has no impact on those teaching 6.0 unit courses (who are paid over 16 pay periods, 8 per term).

What this means for Unit 2 members teaching 3.0 unit courses:

· An additional pay date for a 3 unit course does not affect the total monies paid, but results in a lower bi-weekly pay amount;
· Aligns the bi-weekly pay amount received by Sessional Faculty who are appointed to either a 3- or 6-unit course; and,
· Aligns the Unit 2 payment dates with the Unit 1 payment dates

If you have any questions, please contact staff@cupe3906.org

New Faculty Workshop

Brad WalchukGeneral

New sessionals (this includes anyone who has been employed for 3 years or less as a sessional) are invited to a New Faculty Welcome on August 27th at the Faculty Club. The event begins at 8:30 and ends after a complementary lunch.

CUPE Local 3906 and the McMaster Institute for Innovation & Excellence in Teaching & Learning (MIIETL) are also hosting a workshop for new sessionals on October 9th.

These events are not one-on-one orientations with your Department Chair, which we believe are a vital part of the orientation process at McMaster.

All events are free and can be registered for at:

New Faculty Welcome: https://2015nfo.eventbrite.ca

Fall Workshop Series: https://2015nfoworkshops.eventbrite.ca

Sessional Faculty Postings on MOSAIC

Mary Ellen CampbellArts & Science, Business, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Postings, Science, Social Sciences, Unit 2, Unit 2

Dear members.

Please note that Sessional Faculty Postings are being migrated to a new site as part of the implementation of MOSAIC, McMaster’s new “human capital management” system.

Most current Sessional Faculty postings are now being posted on the new MOSAIC website, here: http://www.workingatmcmaster.ca/careers/index.php

(Click “External Applicants” then “Sessional Faculty”.)

As of this website post (July 28th, 2015), some postings in the Faculty of Humanities, the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Engineering are being posted on the old central postings site, here:

http://www.mcmaster.ca/vpacademic/sessional_faculty_postings.html

Please check both sites for postings that may be of interest to you.

Thanks,
Mary Ellen Campbell
Administrative Assistant

General Membership Meeting- July 28th at noon

Brad WalchukGeneral

Our monthly General Membership Meeting will take place on July 28th at 12 noon in DSB (DeGroote School of Business) B-107 (located in the basement).

We have many important items on the agenda, including a discussion on the upcoming Federal Election.

We’ll also be electing two executive positions (Chief Steward, Unit 1 and Chief Steward, Unit 3).  All members are entitled to run for an executive position.  If you don’t run for the executive, but do want to become involved, we are looking for members to join our benefits committee and our communications committee.

We will have pizza and drinks, and child care costs will be reimbursed.  There will also be draws for free Fortino’s Gift Cards.

For more information, please contact staff@cupe3906.org

2015ele

CUPE 3906 supports striking OPSEU nurses

Brad WalchukGeneral

OPSEU CCAC picket July 2015

CUPE 3906 members were proud to walk a picket line with striking OPSEU nurses at Care Partners, a for-profit sub-contractor of CCAC. These workers organized two year ago and have been on strike for 14 weeks seeking a first-contract. The main issue is a desire to be paid by the hour, as opposed to being paid on a per-patient basis.

News coverage of the event (via the Hamilton Spectator) can be found here.

Unit 2 Professional Development Fund, Spring/Summer 2015

Brad WalchukGeneral

Your union has a Professional Development Fund that it has secured through collective bargaining.

This fund is intended to assist with expenses related to professional development that fall into the following four categories:

  • Conference Presentations/Participation
  • Research
  • Training
  • Teaching Materials/Resources

The deadline for applications for the spring/summer 2015 adjudication period is August 7, 2015. We should be able to issue reimbursement by the end of the month.

*Please Note* We regret to inform members that, as of September 1st, 2015, computers (e.g., PCs, laptops) and tablets will no longer be considered eligible expenses under the Professional Development Fund due to a lack of funding. As such, the spring/summer 2015 is the last period in which computers will be allowed as an acceptable item.