Hey Postdocs, join your union in MUSC 311/13 on September 22nd from noon until 2 p.m. (drop in at your convenience) for some pizza, drinks, the chance to socialize with other Postdocs, and ask questions about your Union.
Calling all new Sessional Faculty and Hourly Rated Sessional Music Faculty!
The MacPherson Institute is holding an online Sessional and Part-Time Faculty Orientation to Teaching and Learning on Sep 15, 2026, from 10:00AM to 12:00PM.
To register, and for more information, please visit: https://mi.mcmaster.ca/events/sessional-and-part-time-faculty-orientation-to-teaching-and-learning-4/
Don’t forget to check out our Professional Development Fund for more information on how you can reimbursed for select expenses related to your professional development!
Deadline for Dental Opt-Out and Family Dental Enrollments (FALL 2026)
Classification “A” Unit 1 Members (TAs and RAs in lieu holding an undergradaute degree) and Unit 2 Members (Sessional Faculty and Hourly Rated Music Faculty) who are working in the FALL 2026 Term can now submit Change of Coverage Forms for our CUPE 3906 Dental Coverage.
Classification “A” Unit 1 Members should read this important information regarding CUPE 3906 Dental Coverage.
Unit 1 Dental Opt-Out Forms and Family Dental Enrollment Forms can be found at our website at https://cupe3906.org/tas-unit-1/dental-plan/. The deadline for Unit 1 Members to opt out of Dental Coverage or enroll in Family Coverage is SEPTEMBER 25, 2026.
Unit 2 Members should read this important information regarding CUPE 3906 Dental Coverage.
Unit 2 Dental Opt-Out Forms and Family Dental Enrollment Forms can be found at our website at https://cupe3906.org/sessionals-unit-2/unit-2-dental-coverage/. The deadline for Unit 2 Members to opt out of Dental Coverage or enroll in Family Coverage is SEPTEMBER 28, 2026.
Labour Day at the Workers Arts and Heritage Centre!
Join our friends at the Workers’ Arts and Heritage Centre for a field trip to Hamilton’s East End to honour the 80th anniversary of the 1946 Stelco Strike with a tour led by History and Social Justice Professor Rob Kristofferson on Saturday, September 5th (3-5pm).
The tour will begin at the Playhouse Cinema (177 Sherman Ave N) and as it makes its way along Sherman Ave N, Kristofferson will speak to the street’s unique industrial and social history of the corridor. Following the tour, attendees will arrive at Pinch Bakery and Plant Shop for a community meal and original monologue performed by theatre artist and food security activist Emily Zimmerman who will explore the way food nurtured solidarity not only between the strikers, but their friends, neighbours and family too.
This event is FREE but registration is required! Just head to the WAHC’s website to save your spot today: https://wahc-museum.ca/event/labour-day-walking-tour-sherman-ave-n-and-the-1946-stelco-strike/
Special thanks to this year’s Labour Day programming supporters: USW Local 1005, CUPE 3906 and the Hamilton and District Labour Council.
Image Credits:
- Facsimile of Photograph of Men Wearing Prop Masks and Carrying Signs in 1946 Hamilton Labour Day Parade from the Industrial Images Exhibition, WAHC Permanent Collection.
- The Playhouse Cinema, 20th century, Workers City
- Spaghetti Dinners on the Line, 1946 Workers City
August GMM
The next General Membership Meeting (GMM) will be held on Thursday, August 20th, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM via Zoom. A registration link will be sent via email. The agenda and other meeting materials will be posted here: https://cupe3906.org/gmm-materials/
Unit 3 – Emergency Medical Travel Assistance
We have an important update for our Postdocs related to Emergency Medical Travel Assistance coverage. Effective July 1, 2026, the coverage for active employees has been updated to remove the age limitations so that both the employee and their eligible dependents will continue to be covered for a lifetime maximum of $3,000,000 per person with a maximum trip duration of 60 days. This includes those aged 69 and older. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out your union.
CUPE General Membership Meeting – July 14th at 12:30 p.m. – Executive Committee Elections
Hello CUPE 3906 members,
Our next General Membership Meeting (GMM) will be held on Tuesday, July 14th at 12:30 p.m. via Zoom. A registration link will be sent to your McMaster email address. Please register at least 24 hours before the meeting – we may not be able to accommodate registrations that are initiated with less than 24 hours before the start of the meeting.
At this meeting members will be electing a new Recording Secretary and International Officer to join the Executive Committee, as well as two delegates to the Hamilton and District Labour Council (HDLC). Please note you must attend the meeting (not simply register) in order to participate in the election. Further details about the elections and the positions can be found in our Bylaws: https://cupe3906.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/501/approved-bylaws-for-local-3906-2026-05-08-1.pdf
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Pride Celebration and DIY Craft Workshop
Our Pride Celebration and DIY Craft Workshop will be taking place on Tuesday from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The location has been finalized and will be provided following registration for the event: CUPE Pride Celebration & DIY Craft Workshop Registration – Fill out form
We know everyone has a very busy schedule at this time of the term, so please know that this is a drop-in friendly activity, and everyone is more than welcome to just pop in whenever they can to say hello or stay for a little while.
Important Update: GMM & Elections Postponed
Due to ongoing issues with the EDL email system, the upcoming General Membership Meeting (GMM) and elections have been postponed to ensure all members receive adequate notice and have a meaningful opportunity to participate.
Please note that the GMM notice was posted on the website in accordance with the bylaws required notice period and was available to members well in advance. However, due to the email system issues, we were unable to reach members through email communication.
To support accessibility, transparency, and full member participation, the decision has been made to postpone the meeting and elections. Further details, including the new date and election information, will be shared once confirmed.