message from the executive - cupe 4207 union of puli employees lo al 4207 at rock university ......
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CUPE 4207 FALL 2015 NEWSLETTER
CUPE 4207 CANADIAN UNION OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES LOCAL 4207 at Brock University
Fighting the power since 1998
Part Time Instructors, TAs, Lab Demonstrators, Marker/Graders, Course Coordinators, all Instructors and Full Time Coordinators in ESL Services
In this volume you will find: a message from the Executive, a message from the Chief Steward, a bargaining year for Unit
1 and Unit 2, greetings from the Stewards, fire awareness on campus, upcoming events and more!
The executive of CUPE 4207 would like to take this oppor-
tunity to welcome all new members of the local, and wel-
come back all members who are returning for the Fall/
Winter 2015-16 academic year. For those of you who are
unfamiliar with our union, CUPE 4207 is made up of three
bargaining units. Unit 1 includes Teaching Assistants, Lab
Demonstrators, Marker-Graders, Course Coordinators,
and Instructors. Unit 2 consists of all full-time Coordina-
tors in ESL Services, and Unit 3 is all Instructors in ESL Ser-
vices.
Unit 1 formed as a union in 1998 in order to better the
working conditions for our members. Unit 2 joined in De-
cember of 2007 and Unit 3 in 2011. Over the years we
have made some important improvements for members
in terms of wages, job security, workload, and putting a
check on arbitrary and unjust decisions made by our em-
ployer. That being said, we all know that there is still the
need for further improvements.
This past year we successfully negotiated a new collective
agreement (which outlines the terms and conditions of
employment) for our members in Unit 3. It was a difficult
round of bargaining, but even in the face of resistance we
were able to make gains. Units 1 and 2 will be negotiating
new collective agreements in 2016. We will start the pro-
cess in October when we elect bargaining committees for
both groups. All members of a Unit have the right to run
for election to the committee. You don’t need any prior
experience. We will provide training to committee mem-
bers.
CUPE 4207 is a democratic union. Decisions on what we
do, and how we allocate our resources are made at our
monthly General Membership Meetings. We have open
agendas at our meetings, so all members have the right to
add items for discussion. The executive of the local also
gives reports on what has been happening between Gen-
eral Meetings.
Our union also has several committees that plan actions
for our members. The committees include the Bargaining
Support Committee, the Communications Committee, the
Equity Committee, the Political Action and International
Solidarity Committee, the Policy, By-laws and Finance
Committee, the Health, Safety and Wellness Committee,
Social Committee and the Stewards Council. Meetings of
all committees are open to all members. Notices for
meeting times and locations will be emailed to members
and will be posted on the union website
(www.4207.cupe.ca)
The union is the membership – this is YOUR union. Be-
cause this year will be a lead up to bargaining with the
employer we need an active and engage membership.
Please get involved. Together we can build a better Brock.
In solidarity,
The CUPE 4207 Executive
Message from the executive:
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CUPE 4207 FALL 2015 NEWSLETTER
Join any one of our standing committees or get one starting yourself!
Policy, Finance and Bylaw Committee
Equity Committee
Communication Committee
Bargaining Support/Organizing Committee
Political Action and International Solidarity Committee
Health, Safety & Wellness Committee
Anti-Bullying Committee
Women’s Committee
Indigenous Solidarity Sub-Committee
Consent is Necessary Committee
Social Committee
Department Representative
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT http://4207.cupe.ca/
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CUPE 4207 FALL 2015 NEWSLETTER
Hello Brothers and Sisters:
Well as the summer is winding down and the new aca-
demic year begins there are a few words that I would like
to share with all CUPE 4207 members. In my term as Chief
Steward, I represent Unit 1, Unit 2 and Unit 3 in the griev-
ance procedure. Each Unit has a Vice President, Unit 1 has
faculty stewards, Unit 2 has a unit steward and Unit 3 has
a unit steward. We all work together with the President
and members of the executive to ensure an equitable, har-
assment free workplace according to our Collective Agree-
ment.
First, welcome back if you have not been employed in the
summer! Second, let’s talk about some of the things as a
union member you should be aware of.
Our collective agreement is online on our website, please
become familiar with it. Many issues leading to grievances
stem from not addressing problems right at the beginning.
Also of significance is timelines; it is very important that if
there is a problem that needs to be addressed you have 15
days from when you became aware of the problem to file
a formal grievance.
For example, you applied for a position and your seniority
date is 2001. You find out that someone else was deemed
the successful candidate with a seniority date of 2005.
From the time you become aware of this, you only have 15
days for the union to file a grievance. In the meantime,
most often we can straighten out the problem at an infor-
mal stage, but you need to report this to the union ASAP.
Keep track of what positions you have applied for. If you
are wondering whether or not you have been passed over,
either by seniority or qualification, please, please, please
contact the union office by phone, email or drop in.
What is particularly important is knowing your rights as a
CUPE 4207 member. Really look at your allocation of
hours form to make sure it adds up to the work that you
are required to do. We have been successful in modifying
these forms with department chairs to reflect a more real-
istic end goal.
Harassment, bullying, racism and homophobia are becom-
ing more prevalent issues at Brock University. These prob-
lems can involve anyone on campus. No one need suffer
silently if affected by these negative and hostile ideologies.
Come and speak with us. Learn how to handle students in
class when confronted with these issues, believe me it
happens. Know where to go if you have been targeted.
No one is exempt from these issues. Speak to anyone in
the union office, your department chair….do not shrug it
off.
2016 will be a bargaining year for a new Collective Agree-
ment. Please I urge all Unit 1 members to regularly attend
Union meetings. We need to know what you want, we
need to represent you as a collective. Come out to the
meetings, let us know what is important to you and have
input on the decisions of your union.
Let’s have a great academic year, you will get a chance to
meet most of us during orientation sessions. The break-
down is on our webpage, department stewards will be
your main contacts, get to know them, the executive
members are also a main contact, get to know us, we love
to chat! Please I encourage members to drop by the union
office and meet us personally. We work for you, we repre-
sent you, this is your union.
Message from the Chief Steward
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CUPE 4207 FALL 2015 NEWSLETTER
Monday, September 21, 2015
Time:7:30pm
Merchant Ale House, 98 St. Paul Street,
Downtown St. Catharines
Come out, socialize eat and drink all on the union’s tab! Please let the union know beforehand if you need to cover your child care needs or require special accommo-
dation. There is an accessible washroom on the first floor.
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CUPE 4207 FALL 2015 NEWSLETTER
Eldon Friesen: Unit 2 Steward
Hello, I'm Eldon Friesen. As Academic Coordinator for
Writing in Brock's ESL Services, I'm responsible for
the Writing curriculum for our various language pro-
grams. I've taught English as a second language at
Brock and overseas for the past 19 years. I'm current-
ly the steward for Unit 2 and I'm looking forward to
helping with and representing the concerns and is-
sues of Unit 2 staff. Thank you.
Glenn Ewing: Unit 3 Steward
Hello, my name is Glenn Ewing and I am the current
steward for unit 3, representing ESL instructors. I've
been teaching English for nearly 17 years and have
been with Brock ESL Services for the past five. I also
occasionally work with the Department of Applied
Linguistics. I'm looking forward to representing you.
Joan Dundas- Business Steward
Hello, I'm Joan Dundas and I’m your 2015/2016 Busi-
ness Steward. I have been the TA for MACC 5Y07
since 2002 and am also a Unit 2 member working in
ESL Services in the International Centre. I look for-
ward to working with all Goodman School of Busi-
ness Unit 1 members. [email protected]
Elizabeth D’Angelo: Education Steward
Hello, I'm Elizabeth D'Angelo and I am your Unit
1Steward for the Faculty of Education and the Co-
Chair of the Equity Committee. I am a Ph.D. student
at York University and have been teaching at Brock
for several years. I look forward to meeting you.
Working together, a better Brock is possible!
Carissa Taylor- Faculty of Humanities Steward
Hello, my name is Carissa Taylor, and I am your Hu-
manities Steward. I look forward to supporting you
in your positions as CUPE 4207 members, including
answering questions and advocating for and with
you. Please feel free to contact me about any issues,
or to learn more about your union, and have a great
year! [email protected]
Bryan Giordano: Math & Science Steward
Hello, my name is Bryan Giordano. I am your Health
and Safety Officer and the steward for Mathematics
and Science. If you have any concerns do not hesitate
to contact me. Welcome to Cupe 4207 and I look for-
ward to working with you.
Lauren Quinn: Social Science Steward
Hello fellow CUPE 4207 members! My name is Lau-
ren and I will be representing you as the social sci-
ence steward for the 2014-2015 academic year. For
two years, I have been part of the CUPE Equity Com-
mittee where we organized various events including
a pro-choice movie night, a panellist of speakers for
the Day Against Violence Against Sex Workers and a
panel and discussion highlighting racism at Brock in
response to the blackface incident that occurred last
Halloween at Isaac’s. If you need to discuss a griev-
ance, have questions about your rights, the collective
agreement or general information about the union,
please feel free to contact me for support. Also, we
would love to see more faces at committee meetings
and events, which are open to all members, so
please take advantage of all the ways that you can
get involved with your union!
Greetings from Your Stewards
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CUPE 4207 FALL 2015 NEWSLETTER
Kindling Solidarity: welcoming bonfire and games night: Thursday, August
27th 5-8pm @ the Fire Pit by Alphie’s Trough
CUPE 4207 Annual Fall Social: Monday, September 21st 7:30pm@ Merchant
Ale House
September GMM: Thursday, September 24th 5:00pm @ Sankey Chamber
CUPE In-Class Health & Safety Workshop: Wednesday, September 30th 5-8pm
@ 103 East Academic . Register at http://cupe.ca/steward-learning-series-34
by September 10th
Sisters in Spirit Event: Friday October 2nd 9am @ Sankey Chambers
Save the date for Harvest Celebration Fire and Music Social: Tuesday, October
6th or Wednesday, October 7th 5-8pm @ Fire Pit by Alphie’s Trough. It will be
one of the dates listed.
Decolonization and peace-building workshop: Monday November 9th 6pm @
Sankey Chambers
Craft and Wellness Gathering: Monday, December 7th 12-6pm @ Pond Inlet
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CUPE 4207 FALL 2015 NEWSLETTER
The collective agreements for Unit 1 (TAs, Lab De-
monstrators, Marker-Graders, Course Coordinators,
and Instructors) and Unit 2 (full-time Coordinators in
ESL Services) expire in 2016. At that time our union
will need to be prepared to negotiate new collective
agreements with Brock. Preparing for bargaining,
however, must start well in advance of the expiry
dates.
Elections for bargaining committees will be held in
October. Any member of Unit 1 can run to be on the
Unit 1 bargaining team, and any member of Unit 2
can run for that committee. The president of the local
also sits on both bargaining committees. Members do
not need to have any experience in order to run. The
union will provide training for everyone who gets
elected. Notice for these elections will be emailed to
members and posted on our website in advance of
the meeting.
The bargaining committees will be responsible for
developing bargaining priorities for the local. Since
the union is a democratic organization this process is
done with regular consultation with the membership.
Initially the bargaining committees will develop bar-
gaining surveys to distribute to all members in order
to get feedback on what members want to prioritize.
Members can also make submissions to the bargain-
ing committee in writing, or at General Membership
Meetings.
After the process of consulting with the members the
bargaining committees will compile the information
and put together a list of bargaining issues to present
to the employer when negotiations begin. Before we
present these to the employer the membership will
vote to ratify the proposals at a special meeting.
Members will have the right to add to, amend, or
vote down each of the proposals that have been de-
veloped. Once a final document has been ratified the
bargaining committee will put the proposals into spe-
cific contract language to present to the employer.
The bargaining committee will make regular reports
to the membership on the status of bargaining. The
membership will have regular opportunities to give
feedback to the committee to make sure that we are
all pulling together to get the best possible results for
our members. Active membership involvement and
support for our bargaining teams is a necessary com-
ponent to making improvements at Brock.
This is a Bargaining Year for Unit
1 and Unit 2
September General
Membership Meeting
Thursday, September 24
5:00pm
Sankey Chamber
Please contact the union in advance if
you need to cover your child care needs
or need special accommodations
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CUPE 4207 FALL 2015 NEWSLETTER
Mandatory Health and Safety Training for NEW
Brock Employees
Every employee at Brock must complete basic H&S training once.
You can do this in one of two ways:
1. Online via the Health & Safety tab on Sakai
- The training is called Health and Safety Awareness
Note: You must log in to Sakai as a ‘worker’; not as a student.
2. Online via the Ministry of Labour website
http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/training/index.php
Also, Brock employees must complete an Accessibility tutorial (AODA).
The training can be found in my.brocku.ca
If H&S / AODA training isn’t on your Allocation of Hours form, then you are then eligible for
one hour of pay for each. Ask your Supervisor (or the Admin Assistant) about the process for
extra pay.
***Be sure to print out***:
- your score for the H&S training
- proof that you completed the 3 modules for the AODA training
Questions: Send an email to [email protected]
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CUPE 4207 FALL 2015 NEWSLETTER
Mandatory WHMIS Training for All Employees working in Laboratories
Who needs WHMIS training?
- WHMIS is legally required for ALL employees who are exposed or likely to be exposed to a
hazardous material or controlled product at the workplace.
Every employee at Brock working in a science laboratory must:
1. Complete basic WHMIS training OR
2. Have completed basic WHMIS training once in the last calendar year.
You can do this online through your EMPLOYEE Sakai portal
1. Login into Sakai using your employee login and password.
2. Select the Health_and_Safety Tab at the top of the screen.
(similar to a course tab)
3. The training is called WHMIS Training and Quiz 2015** and can be found under the Tests
and Quizzes Tab on the right hand side of the page.
Note: You must log in to Sakai as a ‘worker’; not as a student.
If you are working in a science laboratory and training isn’t on your
Allocation of Hours form, then you are then eligible for one hour of pay. Ask your Supervisor
(or the Admin Assistant) about the process for extra pay.
Be sure to print out:
- your score for the WHMIS training and proof that you completed the training.
Questions: Send an email to [email protected]
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CUPE 4207 FALL 2015 NEWSLETTER
CUPE In-Class Health & Safety Workshop
When: Wednesday, September 30 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm
Where: East Academic 103
Cost: Free to CUPE members!
Coffee & Tea will be served.
How to http://cupe.ca/steward-learning-series-34
Register: Registration deadline – September 10
Questions: [email protected]
Hope to see you at the workshop!
Note: This is in addition to the mandated H&S training
that new Brock employees must take.
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CUPE 4207 FALL 2015 NEWSLETTER
Attention all CUPE 4207 members, this is a friendly reminder from your Health and Safety Officers to report
fires, or the potential for fire, immediately to EMERGENCY SERVICES – 911 – to ensure response and then
Campus Security Ext. 3200.
Campus Security Services staff provide security services, including answering and responding to emergency
calls 24 hours, 7 days a week and can be reached at any time at Ext. 3200. Their administrative lines are not
24 hours/day.
This warning comes in light of recent high temperatures and an incident report regarding a smouldering fire
in front of the International Centre building in May. Areas specifically at risk for fire are designated smoking
sections and surrounding areas, landscaping areas with wood-based mulch, and/or areas with dry grass.
The St. Catharines Fire Chief Dave Wood has recently warned residents that throwing away a lit cigarette
may result in starting a fire. We urge all members to be conscious of high risk areas and to report any poten-
tial fire activity to 911 AND Campus Security Ext. 3200. Please ensure you follow up with your supervisor
after contacting Campus Security and fill out an Incident Report Form.
If you have any questions please contact your CUPE 4207 Health and Safety Officers.
Further links for fire safety:
http://www.brocku.ca/webfm_send/1885 https://www.brocku.ca/webfm_send/34651 http://www.brocku.ca/webfm_send/22696
Thank you,
Bryan Giordano
Phil Wachel
Fire Safety Awareness on Campus
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CUPE 4207 FALL 2015 NEWSLETTER
A Look at Events Members Participated in
ESL Instructors Rally
CUPE Ontario 2015 Conference
Where’s The Funding Campaign Tour
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CUPE 4207 FALL 2015 NEWSLETTER
A Look at Events Members Participated in cont.
Day of Action to Save Hamilton & Niagara Region Hospitals
OPSEU Solidarity Picket
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CUPE 4207 FALL 2015 NEWSLETTER
List of Your Elected 4207 Representatives for 2015/2016
The Executive Committee
President - Dan Crow
Vice Presidents:
Unit 1 - Sarah Mann
Unit 2 - Jim Papple
Unit 3 - Miaco Kuzyk-Hildebrand
Recording Secretary - Phil Wachel
Chief Steward - Brigitte Cecckin
Treasurer - Tim Fowler
Membership Outreach Officer - Liz Kovacs
Equity Officer - Jodielynn Harrison
Trustees
Marianne Stevenson, term 2016
Joan Dudas, term 2017 [email protected]
Jennifer Smith, term 2018
Health and Safety Officers
Phil Wachel - [email protected]
Bryan Giordano - [email protected]
Stewards
Steward Unit 2 - Eldon Friesen
Steward Unit 3 - Glenn Ewing
——————————————
Faculty Stewards
Social Sciences - Lauren Quinn
Mathematics and Science - Bryan Giordano
Education - Elizabeth D’Angelo
Applied Health Sciences - Nathan Cecckin [email protected]
Business - Joan Dundas
Humanities - Carissa Taylor
——————————————
International Steward - Ezgi Sarioglu
CUPE 4207 DELEGATES
There are also elected delegates to the Niagara Regional Labour Council and the CUPE Niagara District Council. Each Council’s delegates meet once a month.
OUWCC
All the CUPE unions on campus elect their representative to the Ontario University Workers Coordinating Committee (a sectoral committee of CUPE Ontario).
Follow us @cupe4207
Like us on Facebook CUPE 4207
688-5550 x 4766
MC C 402
http://4207.cupe.ca/
http://cupe4207bargaining.ca/
Here is where you find news, events announce-
ments, seniority list, dental claim form, Collective
Agreement, the Local’s bylaws, and more.