CUPEU
CUPEU is proud to support students at Concordia University. Thank you for joining and donating to the True and Fair Hybrid Works! team!
Michael Schmid (VP Comm) & The Mobilization Committee, CUPEU
A message from the President (CUPEU)
August 29th, 2023
Dear CUPEU members,
I hope this finds you all well after having spent an enjoyable summer.
I am writing to you today regarding the 4-day, on-campus work week that the University has imposed on many of us and about a grassroots petition that was circulated several weeks ago.
I am, like you, very disappointed in the approach that upper management has taken regarding the hybrid model guidelines that were circulated two months ago. Although the guidelines seemed positive, the lack of direction from the very top and the allowance for decision making at the decanal levels has left most of us feeling that there is a deep disconnect between what the majority of the Concordia community wants and what is now being asked of us.
Following these decisions, Concordia members from across all unions created a petition that many of you have signed, unfortunately its intent was ignored.
CUPEU members were actively involved in this endeavour behind the scenes but CUPEU did not publicly support this as negotiations had not begun yet.
Feedback from the decanal level of this position has made it clear to us that we must now publicly support this endeavour. A new petition being circulated will go to the President and Vice-Chancellor (Graham Carr), Provost (Anne Whitelaw), Vice-President, Services & Sustainability (Michael DiGrappa), Associate Vice-President, Human Resources (Carolina Willsher), and the Chair of the Board of Governors (Helen Antoniou).
CUPEU, in the spirit of collegiality and collaboration, hopes that you will support this petition by signing your name as soon as possible.
Our negotiations team will strive to solidify a more flexible, involved hybrid model as part of our Negotiations project.
On a final note, I would like to wish you all a great year ahead! Keep an eye out for mobilization actions to support our negotiations efforts!
Best
Shoshana
President, CUPEU
A message from the President (CUPEU)
April 28, 2023
Dear Members,
It has been a while! I hope you are all doing well and have adapted to the hybrid work model that most of us are working under (some members are on campus 100% of the time while others are working 100% remotely).
As you may know, at the end of May/early June, the University is expected to produce a report and update us on the hybrid work model. The University has been working with some departments to “pilot” and ascertain whether, or not, this model works and can be continued. It is my understanding that we should continue with a hybrid work model as an option.
Since we last connected, your Executive has been working hard to ensure that our Collective Agreement is respected and that our membership is heard. Fortunately, we had very few Grievances submitted in both the 2021 and 2022. This year is off to a slow start, as well.
Our membership had the opportunity to have an in-person 2022 summer and holiday event! It was great to see so many of you at these events. Information will be sent out in the next little while regarding our future events!
Our Negotiations Steering Committee, elected at our last Annual General Assembly, has been hard at work putting together our Negotiations Project. In our last Newsletter, dated April 24, 2023, a survey was included to get your feedback on what you might like to see in our Project. If you did not receive our Newsletter (we have heard that, for some members, it went to their Junk folders), please let us know. Also, please take the time to fill out the survey! Thank you to the 100+ members who have already done so!
Also included in this recent Newsletter was information on our first PD round. Please go to our Professional Development webpage for more information on deadlines and application procedures.
As President, please be assured that, when I meet with the upper administration, other Union presidents and our Labour Relations Committee, I am working on your behalf! If you have any questions, or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at Shoshana.Kalfon@concordia.ca.
Wishing you all a good end of term and relaxing Summer!
Shoshana
CUPEU President
Returning to Work
July 29, 2021
Dear members,
I hope this email finds you well and enjoying your summer! As you may know, there is an expected return-to-campus for the 2021 fall term beginning in mid-August with functional work set-ups by August 30th. How this runs will depend on a unit’s needs and expectations from its management.
- Managers are expected to meet with their teams to review the return process, work schedules, technological needs and any other circumstances affected by the return.
- Instructions have been sent to managers on setting up return-to-campus work environments.
- Remote work guidelines have also been sent to managers to allow staff the opportunity to continue working remotely, as of now if possible; or with a new schedule that will require an on-campus presence with the possibility of some remote working days.
- While these options are available, please note that your work set-up going forward is subject to the needs of the unit or management expectations. It is also possible that there will be a requirement to return-to-campus full-time.
- Staff can expect to have access to the return-to-campus guidelines shortly (this will be communicated by the university).
CUPEU understands that, for many members, working from home has been a wonderful opportunity to continue to serve the University community in the best way possible. The union also understands that our membership works for the University and that being on campus is intrinsic to our responsibilities and positions. While the opportunity to continue remote work is possible, returning to the office may be required, if management deems it so.
More information on the return can be found on CSpace.
If you have concerns on this matter, it should be brought to your supervisor’s attention. For additional questions, you can also contact us for further clarification.
Best,
Shoshanna
CUPEU President
Vacation days and personal time
May 04, 2020
Dear members,
I hope you are all doing well.
As you know, with end of the yearly cycle approaching (May 31, 2020), there are two important personal matters to consider: your vacation days for 2019-20 and the remainder of the allocated 28 hours of personal time (per article 28.06) you may still have.
I would like to remind you that the University has agreed to forwarding vacation days from 2019-20 to 2020-21. This, however, must be done in consultation with your supervisor per the CU Faculty & Staff COVID-19 FAQ.
Personal time, however, will not be forwarded. Any time not taken in this cycle is lost.
Be safe and stay healthy,
Shoshana
President, CUPEU
CU extended closure
April 27, 2020
Hello everyone,
I hope you are all doing well, both personally and professionally. Spring is starting to show itself – proving that some parts of life, as we know it, still does exist!
A small update: As you may know, there was an expected date of return of May 4. The government has indicated, however, that they will give two weeks notice before an expected return, be it gradual or in some other format. The University, however, is not sure if a two week notice will be enough. This is still to be determined.
At a University meeting last week, it was clear that how our return takes shape is one requiring several discussions. As you may know, the summer term is online. As of now, the fall term is still scheduled to be in-person, however, faculty made it clear, and it makes sense, to know sooner rather than later, what format the fall term will take.
Based on the discussion, I would like to assure you that the well-being of the whole community is at the forefront of these discussions. Examples of things to consider, other than class format, is the shuttle bus, elevators, open-concept office space, etc.
Again, I hope all is going well. If there is anything we need to know, or that we can help you with, please email us at cupeu@concordia.ca.
Best,
Shoshana
President, CUPEU
COVID-19: A message from the President (CUPEU)
April 7, 2020
#CUPEU-covid-survey-results
Hello everyone,
I hope you are all managing, both personally and professionally, in these very unfamiliar times and circumstances.
The CUPEU Executive committee recently sent out two emails asking for your feedback since COVID-19 measures were put in place: one on March 26 and one on March 31. This was to gage how our membership is doing and to be better prepared to express its concerns to the University.
We had 18 responses to our first email asking for your concerns, questions and feedback with regard to the university’s FAQ for Staff. Most concerns expressed dealt with working from home and all that entails, as well as, job security risk (layoffs). We also received questions regarding personal time and vacation.
We received a whopping 240 replies to the survey on working remotely. While more than half who replied were working on their personal computers that were at least compatible with their work computer, more than half felt that they did not have all the necessary tools required to work from home. The largest obstacle to working remotely was not having a second monitor while more than half wished/wanted an office chair.
The clear, and consistent, message from the University is that if you are having concerns or difficulties working from home, you must speak to your manager. According to the University, management is expected to show some flexibility regarding work hours and performance. Your manager needs to know what the issue is so that, together, a solution is found.
Please keep in mind that articles regarding overtime and work schedule are still applicable but, if you need to move your hours of work, to accommodate a home situation, inform your manager (in writing).
Vacation days can be carried forward. Speak to your manager about that number. Personal days are not being carried forward. Speak to your manager about how you can use that time before May 31, 2020.
Regarding job security or layoffs, from what we understand, this is not something the University is considering.
Many of you may have already taken advantage of bringing home your office chairs, screens or computers. Unfortunately, as of last Friday, April 3, we no longer have access to the University campuses to remove items from our offices. If, however, you feel that not having appropriate equipment is affecting your ability to do your job, speak to your manager. DO NOT make purchases in the hopes that the University will reimburse you.
I would like to personally thank each one of you who took the time to reply to our outreach.
The CUPEU Executive is still working to serve the membership.
If you have concerns or questions, please email us at cupeu@concordia.ca.
Best,
Shoshana Kalfon
President, CUPEU