[July 28, 2013]
Dear members of AMUSE,
The following are updates for this week:
- Temporary ID Cards: Reminder!
- McGill’s Most Recent MRO
- CA Spotlight - Compensation in the case of Building Closures and Emergency Situations
- AMUSE is doing Outreach at Mac Campus
- Mobilization Committee Meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 29
1. Temporary ID Cards: Reminder!
Are you an AMUSE member that currently does not have a McGill ID card or access card? Haven’t asked to receive one yet?Don’t forget that AMUSE and McGill have recently agreed on a temporary measure that will accommodate our members without IDs until the provision of permanent access cards to AMUSE members becomes possible. Read about how to get one here.
2. McGill’s Most Recent MRO
You may remember that AMUSE recently held a ‘Budget Cuts Q&A’ drop-in session to address any questions members may have had about their rights during these uncertain times.
The most recent MRO was written in somewhat of an appeasing tone, and although McGill’s administration is patting itself on the back for minimizing job losses, the pressure’s on in many departments throughout the University. As is often the case with non-permanent work, AMUSE members are among those most affected by measures such as “attrition, the non-renewal of some term contracts, workforce efficiencies and re-organizations resulting in strategically targeted position abolitions.” (MRO July 16th 2013)
If you’re worried about your position, make sure to get in touch and let us know how your department is handling the pressure - there may be something we can do together to try and keep your job.
3. CA Spotlight - Compensation in the case of Building Closures and Emergency Situations
SUMMER FRIDAYS - AMUSE members are often working along side MUNACA employees, all of whom are entitled to what is known in permanent full-time employment land as ‘Summer Fridays.’ It’s important to note that although our friends at MUNACA are entitled to this time off, this fact should never prevent an AMUSE member who has been guaranteed a specific number of hours in their contract from time at work. If you have been asked to take the day off, but it was stipulated in your contract, for example, that you will work 33.75 hrs/week, you don’t have to take it! Ask your supervisor when you can make up the hours at a time that is convenient for you, or work together to arrange a way that you can work that day regardless.
BUILDING CLOSURES - It seems that at McGill, summer is a time for renovations, re-organization, and re-structuring. If your Department or Building is closed for an unexplained reason for some days during this summer, and this is not due to some event or circumstance that is beyond the University’s control, workers should not bear the burden! If you are a Group 1 or 2
employee, and thus have a specified number of hours/week stipulated in your contract, you have the right not to be adversely affected by such building or office closures.
EMERGENCY SITUATIONS - Many AMUSE members working at Rabinovitch House have been out of work lately. Unfortunately, there is nothing that AMUSE can do in maintenance situations such as these, as the circumstance is “beyond the University’s control.” The building in question simply could not remain open for work.
If you are a Group 3 employee, your rights in this situation are restricted to days for which you may have showed up to work, but then were asked to go home. All the more so because there is no minimum number of hours guaranteed to you in your contract. Quebec’s Labour Standards Act states that although no tasks may have been performed, if the employer has called you into work or failed to inform you of the emergency situation in the building, you have the right to 3 hours paid, just for showing up.
Labour questions? Concerns? Get in touch : [email protected]
4. AMUSE is doing Outreach at Mac Campus
Are you an AMUSE member working at McGill’s MacDonald Campus? Although the majority of our members are located at the downtown campus, AMUSE will be taking a trip down to St-Anne-de-Bellevue this August 5th 11am to 3pm to get in touch with our many members working this summer. This is a great time to set an appointment with a union representative if you have any questions regarding your position or your workplace rights! We will be bringing along some promotional materials, and can stop by your workplace to see you if you so wish. Please get in touch with [email protected] if you would like us to stop by your office, or meet you somewhere else on the MacDonald campus!
5. Mobilization Committee Meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 29
Join our mobilization committee and help to build community and solidarity within AMUSE! Come to this meeting to get involved in planning AMUSE’s most important campaigns, events, and projects. It’ll take place at 5:30 p.m. on July 29, 2013 in the AMUSE office.
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