Past Bulletins – selected archive

Friday, November 29th, 2013

Dear member,

We are happy to report that, in the matter relating to the conversion to a bi-weekly pay frequency cycle, the University has at last agreed in principal (signed agreement to be done on Monday) to have our members pay back their “advance” upon leaving the university and not beforehand. In return, we will recommend that all members who filed a complaint with the Commission des relations de travail, withdraw their complaint. This opinion is based on legal advice we have received. We require that you indicate to us, via a reply e-mail, that you authorize MUNACA to drop your complaint with the Commission when the agreement is finalized. We trust that this decision will contribute to fostering a better relationship with the administration.

Please contact a member of the executive should you have any questions or concerns about this matter.

The Executive Board

Dear Members,

Both MUNACA and AMURE presidents have been in contact with the administration of the university to attempt to remove the pay frequency delay, as we feel we are being targeted because we are unionized. McGill HR held information sessions where our members reiterated this concern. During these information sessions, McGill was unable to justify the rationale for this delay.

McGill has decided to make the following change to their initial plan: They are now offering to have the “loan” repaid over 46 pays instead of the original 20 pays. As this is an interest free loan from your employer, you will have to pay taxes, as an interest free loan is considered a taxable “benefit (albeit at a small rate).

We have previously suggested that the salary advance be claimed back when the employee leaves McGill. The federal government is also implementing a delay in its pay system, and reached a compromise similar to what we proposed to McGill, that the salary advance be repaid from an employee’s last pay check. We feel that if the federal government can administer this change to over 150,000 employees, that McGill could manage a similar change to 2000 employees.

MUNACA and AMURE presidents are still upset that McGill continues to place the burden of this administrative change entirely on our members. It was our hope that with the change of leadership at McGill we would have a more amicable relationship with the administration. It appears we were wrong. Instead of being reasonable and compassionate during these difficult times, the administration chooses to again lay financial burden on one of the lowest paid groups of employees.

We are continuing to bring this discrimination to court. Our case (over 300 complaints) will be heard on December 9th, 2013.

In an effort to reach out to the Principal to help resolve this issue, the attached letter was hand delivered to the principal’s office yesterday afternoon. We urge Dr. Fortier to consider the impact of this decision on her employees and to reconsider her decision to implement this change.

We will keep you all informed of any further developments.

Kevin Whittaker, President MUNACA

Sean Cory, President AMURE

Read the letter to the Principal here:  Letter to Dr Fortier November 12 2013.

MUNACA’s response to Gazette opinion piece regarding HMB’s salary, priorities

On June 20th, the MUNACA executive responded to the Gazette opinion piece by BoG Chair Kip Cobbett regarding Heather Munroe-Blum’s continued salary and McGill’s priorities. You can read the letter at the following link:

http://www.montrealgazette.com/Letter+McGill+union+urges+change/8554218/…

You have by now all received an email with instructions on voting for a representative to the Pension Administration Committee.

MUNACA’s Board of Representatives is endorsing Jim McVety for representative to the PAC.

We are also advising you to vote against continuance of the voting procedure.

Thank you

MUNACA Board of Representatives