Past Bulletins – selected archive

Payroll Frequency Update 4

Date:  Monday, 2 December, 2013 (All day)

Dear Members,

While we understand the concerns that we have heard from many of you about withdrawing your Article 15 complaint regarding the payroll delay, it is important for everyone to understand why the complaints must now be withdrawn. McGill’s current position where the “advance” is repaid when a member leaves McGill makes it a lot less problematic and is in line with what many members at the information sessions suggested. Our lawyers do not think that we could win in a situation where an advance is repaid only when the member leaves.

Moreover, the advance will not be taxed and there will not be any of the usual deductions (all coverage of benefits and pension, etc. will continue) including MUNACA dues. Taking into account inflation and salary increases, when the advance is repaid at the end of employment with McGill, we will most likely come out ahead.

For example, a person making $53,000 moving to a 26 pay/year schedule will have an approximate net pay of $1,275.00 after taxes and normal deductions. With the current proposal, this same person would receive a $700 advance. Their first three (3) days pay would come out to $532.00 net, which with the advance totals $1,232.00: a difference of $42. If this member were to leave McGill in just two years, they would still be owed an outstanding pay of approximately $1,376.00 net. After repaying the $700 they would still receive the difference of $675. Due to their shortage of a one-time $42 in 2014, they will have gained $675. This is money that M’s and other groups will not see when they leave the University.

It is important to note that this proposal is only valid if all complaints are withdrawn!

Should you still have questions or concerns, please contact us at reception@munaca.com.

The Executive Board

 

Payroll Frequency Update 3

Date:  Friday, 29 November, 2013 (All day)

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

 

Payroll Frequency Update 2

Date:  Wednesday, 27 November, 2013 (All day)

Dear Members,

In response to the letter delivered to the Principal’s office on November 12, 2013, both AMURE and MUNACA presidents had a meeting with the Principal and VP Michael Di Grappa on November 22nd at 5:15 p.m. At this meeting both presidents explained how the pay delay, which only applies to the unionized members and is thus discriminatory, and the “loan” repayment method would cause a hardship for our members. During the course of the meeting, Michael Di Grappa made it clear that by implementing the new payroll system, with a delay for AMURE and MUNACA only, that the university would save money. Those who attended the information sessions may recall that HR claimed that the delay would not result in any cost savings.

After explaining that the repayment method would cause an added hardship for our members only, the principal replied that not only did she fail to see this action as discriminatory, she also could not understand how an additional loss of $15 per pay (for MUNACA’s average salary) would be a hardship on our members. Kevin Whittaker explained that many members live pay cheque to pay cheque and any further reduction to their take-home pay is indeed a hardship. This will of course come on top of the 2.2% reduction in salary due to the pension plan deficit cost sharing. The principal stated that if any members did find this a hardship, the administration would be willing to help. As it is unclear how they might help, we encourage any members that find this to be a hardship to contact the principal and ask for her assistance.

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

 

Payroll Frequency Update

Date:  Wednesday, 13 November, 2013 (All day)

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

Date:  Monday, 24 June, 2013 (All day)

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/…

 

Letter to Dean of Libraries regarding proposed library closures

Date:  Sunday, 26 May, 2013 (All day)

MUNACA has sent a letter to the Dean of Libraries regarding the proposed closure of the Life Sciences and Education libraries. You can read the letter at the following link:

Letter to the Dean of Libraries re library closures – 24-may-13

 

VOTING FOR PENSION ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE

Date:  Tuesday, 16 April, 2013 (All day)

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

 

MUNACA’s Response to McGill’s Email RE: Discussions with Employee Groups

Date:  Monday, 15 April, 2013 (All day)

Dear Members,

Several days ago the MUNACA Executive received the Administration’s offer of 3 days’ vacation, for the year 2013 only, in exchange for a salary freeze. We were told we had until the end of April to respond. We had intended to take this offer to the Board of Representatives, just as we did for the initial request to open the collective agreement. But now that McGill has resorted to the reprehensible behaviour of trying to negotiate in public we are going to reject this offer outright.

To be clear, 3 days is equivalent to an additional 1.2% of salary, yet the Administration is asking us to permanently give up 3% (1.5% cost of living increase plus 1.5% step increase for those not at their max).

This is an insulting offer.

The Executive Board

 

Pay Equity Info Session

Date:  Wednesday, 3 April, 2013 (All day)

Monday, April 8th, 2013

12:30 – 14:00

REDPATH MUSEUM AUDITORIUM

859 Sherbrooke Street West Ground Floor