This issue includes:
- Roots Stew: Food Politics From the Grassroots
- What to Expect in Bargaining
- USW 1005 Lockout Photoessay
- Mobilizing for Unit 1 & 3 Bargaining
- And more!
GMM Rescheduled
The GMM originally scheduled for March 15th has been rescheduled to
Tuesday March 22nd
5:30 (free food at 5:00)
MDCL 3024 (follow the signs)
Agenda items include:
– Bylaw changes
– Elections (Unit 1 & 3 Bargaining Teams, Equity Officer, Chief Steward Unit 2, Health & Safety Reps)
– CUPE Ontario Convention elections
We’re also seeking nominations for the annual Mike Skinner Activist Award. Click here to download more information, and the Nomination package.
Rally Against Tuition Fee Hikes
On May 5th the board of governors at McMaster University will be voting to increase tuition by 5% for Undergrads and Grads and 6-7% for international students. This will be the 6th consecutive year that tuition has gone up at McMaster.
As the the top level administrators see ever increasing salaries and bonuses, we as students see larger classrooms, tutorials, overcrowded study spaces, and face a mountain of debt after we graduate. It is time to say enough is enough!!!
On the 22nd of March we will be holding a rally outside of The McMaster Student Centre in protest of these increases. This is our University, This is out Education, This is our Future, and we Demand to be heard.
This event is being hosted by “Education for All” a group of Grad and Undergrad students who are concerned about the COST and QUALITY of education at this university.
Join us at the rally
March 22nd
11:30-1:30
Unit 2 Health Spending Account Increased
The benefits committee is pleased to announce that the Unit 2 Health Spending Account (HSA) entitlement will be increased to $400/year on a trial basis. The increase may be adjusted in the future if the claims activity is higher or lower than expected. The decision to increase the HSA was made after a careful review of Unit 2 HSA claims over the past couple of years, which suggested that there was room to adjust the maximum entitlement without exceeding the Unit 2 benefits budget. The increase is effective immediately.
More information, and claim forms are available here.
In solidarity,
Rebecca Strung, Benefits Officer
Executive Nominations for 2011-2012 are Open!
Nominations are now open for elections to the 2011-2012 CUPE 3906 Executive.
A list of positions is available here, and elections will take place at the Annual General Membership Meeting. If you are interested in running please contact the Local President Mary Ellen at president@cupe3906.org.
Upcoming Meetings
There are two membership meetings upcoming. More information will be sent out as it becomes available.
General Membership Meeting
Tuesday March 15th
Food at 5:00 – Meeting at 5:30
MDCL 3024
Annual General Membership Meeting (including elections for the Executive)
Wednesday April 6th
Food at 5:00 – Meeting at 5:30
Location TBA
Unit 2 Health Spending Account (HSA) Increase
The benefits committee is pleased to announce that the Unit 2 Health Spending Account (HSA) entitlement will be increased to $400/year on a trial basis. The increase may be adjusted in the future if the claims activity is higher or lower than expected. The decision to increase the HSA was made after a careful review of Unit 2 HSA claims over the past couple of years, which suggested that there was room to adjust the maximum entitlement without exceeding the Unit 2 benefits budget. The increase is effective immediately.
Rants and Raves – a social mixer and open house
Interested in kicking back to kick off your reading week? Meeting fellow members of the flying squad, or mingling with other politically minded folks?
The Political Action Committee invites everyone to join us for a fabulous and free evening of live music, dub poetry, local art, and a potluck dinner!
Wednesday, February 16th, Wentworth Lounge (next to the Phoenix), doors open at 6:30pm
Performances will include “BaNanny Republic”, a new spoken word piece by Joyne Lavides and Roberto Lavidez,
and music by “The Human Race”
Food provided, but everyone welcome to bring a dish they want to share. Cash bar available at the Phoenix.
Need to know: The Wentworth Lounge is not accessible. We appologize for maintaining this barrier, and we invite you to let us know if you have any concerns.
Meetings Rescheduled After Snow
The General Membership Meeting and Stewards’ Council Meeting have been rescheduled after the school closure yesterday. The new dates are as follows:
General Membership Meeting
February 9th, 2011
5:30pm
Location MUMC 1A5 (Hospital, 1st floor, by the Williams)
Stewards’ Council Meeting
March 2nd, 2011
5:00pm
Wentworth Lounge (beside The Phoenix)
GMM Postponed
Tonight’s General Membership Meeting has been postponed as a result of McMaster’s closure due to the snowstorm.
We will reschedule the GMM as soon as possible. In the meantime, we hope that everyone keeps safe.