News

Union Service Opportunities

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Nominations for the following CUPE 3907 positions are open:

  • CRO
  • FAF Committee Members
  • Stewards: APHD, CTL, SJE
  • Bargaining Support Committee
  • Trustees

Financial Assistance Fund Committee Members

We need three (3) members to join the Financial Assistance Fund Committee to distribute the Fall/Winter 2020-1 Hardship Fund, Child Care Fund, and UHIP Funds. The time commitment is about 2 hours, to be wrapped up before the end of April 2021.

Committee members need to be current members of CUPE 3907 on the date of the FAF committee meeting. Committee members must be available for the fund distribution meeting. Committee members will receive an honorarium of $50 for their time.

Please email treasurer@cupe3907.ca if you are interested. The deadline for applying is Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at midnight.

Departmental Steward

Serving as a steward is a great way to become involved in the union, assist members, and ensure that issues affecting graduate workers in your department are brought to the union’s attention. Currently, there is one vacancy for EACH of the following departments: SJE, CTL and APHD. This is a volunteer position. If you are interested, please email the Chief Steward, Wales Wong, at chiefsteward@cupe3907.ca.

Bargaining Support Committee

Interested in supporting your CUPE local during bargaining? Join the Bargaining Support Committee!
As members of the Bargaining Support Committee, you will support in mobilizing the Local’s resources to amplify members’ voices. You are responsible for organizing fellow members, the University, and the community in support of our union’s aims in bargaining, and will organize the membership if a strike vote is needed.
If a strike is undertaken, the Bargaining Support Committee will become the Strike Committee.
If you would like more information, contact Wales Wong (chiefsteward@cupe3907.ca).

Trustees

The Trustees are elected by members to act as an auditing committee on their behalf. The position will require approximately 7 hours. No past union or financial experience is required, as there are significant training. There is a $100 honorarium. Details of the position are available in the Bylaws (article 11).

CUPE 3907 executive elections – 2021-2022

The election period for the following positions starts, April 12 at 5:00 p.m and ends on April 17 at 11:59 pm. Candidates can start campaigning after 5:00 p.m.. Voting will begin on April 14, 2021 and will end on April 17 at 11:59pm.

Vice President
Sarah Alam
Justin Holloway

Chief Steward
Wales Wong
Alessia Cacciavilla

You will be receiving a formal email from Simply Voting providing both a link and instructions on how to vote. Please watch out for this link in your spam/junk folder as well. More details here

Paid Sick Days

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As the second wave of the pandemic hits Canada more and more workers are getting sick. But far too many workers don’t have paid sick days. 58% of all workers in Canada don’t have access to any paid sick days and for workers making $25,000 or less that number jumps to 70%. The lack of access to paid sick days disproportionately impacts Black, Indigenous, workers of colour and women workers. The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit is far from adequate and is the wrong approach to addressing the health of workers and the public. An effective response to the pandemic is for the government to legislate employer-paid sick days. This is a question of good public health policy as well as a matter of racial and gender justice. Every worker during and after the pandemic should be able to access paid sick days. This is a draft motion you can put forward at your union or other organization calling on the government to legislate employer-paid sick days for all.

Whereas eleven months into a global pandemic that has killed thousands, no government in Canada has legislated adequate, employer-paid sick days; and

Whereas the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit is temporary, inaccessible and not of use for the crucial first few days of an illness;

Whereas had paid sick day legislation been in place before the global pandemic, lives would have been saved because infection rates would have been reduced; and

Whereas the lack of legislated paid sick days has especially hurt Black, Indigenous, workers of colour and women workers who are over-represented in frontline jobs, with low pay, few benefits, and without the ability to work from home;

Be it resolved that CUPE 3907 supports the Decent Work and Health Network call for seven (7) permanent, paid sick days for all workers and an additional fourteen (14) days during public health outbreaks;

BIRT CUPE 3907 endorse the principles outlined by the Decent Work and Health Network:

  • Universal: Available to all workers regardless of workplace size, type of work, or immigration status. Legislated, with no exemptions.
  • Paid: Fully paid to ensure workers are not financially penalized for following public health advice.
  • Adequate: At least seven (7) paid sick days provided on a permanent basis, with an additional 14 paid sick days during public health emergencies.
  • Permanent: Available during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
  • Accessible: No barriers to access. Prohibit employers from requiring sick notes; ensure no disruption of income or unnecessary applications; and provide sufficiently flexible leave that reflects the reality of workers’ lives, healthcare needs, and caregiving responsibilities.

BIRT the CUPE 3907 oppose further public subsidies for corporations like Amazon, Walmart, and Loblaws that are profiting from the pandemic and who should be implementing employer-paid sick days and raising wages;

BIRT the CUPE 3907 work with CUPE ON to actively lobby provincial and federal government representatives to introduce and pass paid sick days legislation;

BIRT the CUPE 3907 host a phone zap event and other similar events that encourage members to be involved in campaigns for paid sick days.

Gathering Prayers, Not People – 16th Annual Strawberry Ceremony

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This year’s annual February 14th Strawberry Ceremony will be held virtually from 12:30pm – 1:30pm, and will be guided by Elder Wanda Whitebird. 

The Organizing Committee are inviting all to take time on Sunday February 14th to honour missing and murdered women, girls, trans and two-spirit people and their families in your own ways.

Some ways you can show your support:

  • Offer tobacco in a space that is meaningful to you (ex. park, water, yard)
  • Take a moment on Feb.14th to pray for the safety of Indigenous Women, Girls, Trans and Two-Spirit Peoples, and for those who are missing to return home. Say the names of loved ones that have been lost.
  • Share a photo of what you’re doing to mark the Strawberry Ceremony remotely to honor families, raise awareness, and fight to put an end to MMIWGT2S
  • Tune in to the live videos shared in the Strawberry Ceremony Facebook event
  • Eat a strawberry (the green part too! 😉 )
  • Donate to any of the following initiatives:

For more information about the Ceremony, check out their Facebook event page

Claiming WFH Expense Deductions

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This is meant as an informational guide only. CUPE and the University cannot advise employees on their personal income taxes.  If you need further assistance beyond what is outlined, please contact the Canada Revenue Agency directly or enlist the services of a professional tax advisor. 

The Government of Canada has introduced changes to the way that eligible employees can claim expenses related to working from home as deductions from their taxable income.

A deduction is an expense that can be subtracted from taxable income in order to reduce the amount of income tax owed (or increase the amount of your income tax return).

There are now two ways employees can claim work from home expenses:

  1. The temporary flat rate method, which allows an eligible employee to claim up to $400 in expenses and does not require supporting documents or a T2200 or T2200S1 form issued by the employee’s employer; and
  2. The detailed method, which allows eligible employees to claim more than $400 in expenses but does require supporting documents and a T2200 or T2200S form issued by the employee’s employer.

The Government of Canada has created a home office expenses calculator tool to help employees determine which method of claiming work from home expenses (temporary flat rate or detailed) would be best for them. Broadly speaking, the simplified method is best where an employee has less than $400 in eligible expenses, and the detailed method is best where an employee has more than $400 in eligible expenses

The Temporary Flat Rate Method

Eligibility

To be eligible to use the temporary flat rate method for claiming deductible work from home expenses, you must:

  • Have worked from home during 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Have worked more than 50% of the time from home for at least four consecutive weeks in 2020
  • Not claim any other employment expenses as deductions (e.g., motor vehicle expenses, X), and
  • Not have been reimbursed by your employer for all of your home office
    expenses.

Calculating Deductible Expenses
Using the temporary flat rate method, you can claim $2 per day you worked more than 50% of the time from home due to COVID-19, to a maximum of $400 for the 2020
income tax year.

How to Make a Claim
Make your claim by filling out “Option 1- Temporary Flat Rate Method” on Form T777S (Statement of Employment Expenses for Working at Home Due to COVID-19). Enter the amount from Line 9939 on Form T777S to Line 22900 “Other employment expenses” on your 2020 income tax return and attach the T777S to your 2020 income tax return

The Detailed Method

Eligibility

To be eligible to use the detailed method for claiming deductible work from home expenses, you must:

  • Have worked from home in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Have been required to pay for expenses related to the workspace in your home
  • One of the following applies to you:
    • Your workspace is where you mainly (more than 50% of the time) worked for a period of at least four consecutive weeks, OR
    • You only used your workspace to earn employment income., and used it regularly and continually for meeting clients, customers, or other people while doing your work.
  • Have expenses that were used directly in your work, and
  • Have a completed and signed copy of either a Form T2200 or Form T2200S from your employer.

Calculating Deductible Expenses

Use the Government of Canada’s calculator to calculate your deductible expenses using the detailed method. Expenses that may be fully or partially deductible include:

  • The cost of home internet access
  • Rent, and
  • Utilities (electricity, water, heat).

See the Government of Canada’s list of eligible expenses for details.

How to Make a Claim
Make your claim by gathering receipts for eligible expenses, requesting a T2200 or T2200S form from your employer, and filling out “Option 2- Detailed Method” on Form T777S (Statement of Employment Expenses for Working at Home Due to COVID-19). Enter the amount from Line 9368 on Form T777S to Line 22900 “Other employment expenses” on your 2020 income tax return and attach the T777S to your 2020 income tax return.

You do not have to include your receipts for eligible expenses or your T2200/T2200S form in your income tax return, but be sure to have them and keep them safe in case the Canada Revenue Agency requests them later.

Requesting a T2200S Form

A T2200S form is a simplified version of the T2200 form that your employer will use if you worked from home in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and choose to use the Detailed Method to calculate your home office expenses. Your employer fills out this form at your request to certify that you worked from home in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and were required to pay for some or all of your home office expenses used directly in your work while carrying out your duties of employment during that period.

You must request a T2200S form from the University before 5:00 pm on Tuesday, February 16, 2021. To request a T2200S form, you will need to log into the University’s HR Service Centre with your UTORid or JOINid.

For more information on requesting a T2200S form, see the Division of HR and Equity’s Memo No. 2021-7 regarding 2020 Personal Income Tax & T2200 forms.

Health & Wellness Programming at UofT

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Featured: 

  • Subscribe to the Health & Wellness Newsletter: Bringing student-centric St. George campus Health & Wellness news, information, and updates to students on a bi-weekly basis. All campus members are encouraged to subscribe to stay informed. 
  • Health & Wellness Peer Support Program: The H&W Peer Support has launched for the new year! Need real-time support from a peer? Want a safe space to chat? Now you can get it. University of Toronto St. George students can access drop-in support from a trained Peer Supporter online on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
  • LivingWorks START is a 90-minute, e-learning program that teaches learners to recognize when someone is thinking about suicide and steps to connect them to help. START is currently available to student leaders at a reduced cost.

 Asynchronous Offering:  

  • COVID-19 & Your Mental Health Video Series: Watch 20-minute videos to learn quick coping strategies that you can apply to day-to-day life for managing feelings of anxiety & uncertainty, low mood & sadness, and frustration & irritability. The Companion Guide attached to this email can be used for your reference.  
  • 5 Ways to Wellbeing: Get access to a 20-minute video to learn how to apply five simple, evidence-based actions in a variety of ways to promote positive mental health and wellbeing while practicing physical distancing and managing new stressors related to COVID-19. Accompanying handouts are also available upon registration. 

Wellness Workshops: 

  • Breathe Well: Learn about the benefits of restorative breath, try new techniques for relaxation such as muscle tension reduction and learn new tips for taking time to pause and recharge. Tuesday, January 11, 1PM-2:30PM. 
  • Sleep Well: Learn about what you can do to improve your sleep and feel more rested and refreshed. Monday January 18, 1PM-2:30PM. 
  • Overcoming Impostor Syndrome:Learn about impostor syndrome and strategies to manage and overcome these beliefs and feelings. Open to GRADUATE STUDENTS ONLY. Monday, January 18, 1PM-3:00PM.
  • Coping Skills Series: If you’re having trouble coping with the demands of university life—or even regular everyday situations—this workshop series is right for you. 
  • Grief Support Sharing Circle: An informal mutual support group for students who have experienced a death, as well as students experiencing anticipatory grief. Tuesday, January 26, 3:00PM-5PM. 

Please note all workshop times listed above are in EST (Eastern Standard Time) and will be taking place online on the Blackboard Collaborate platform (Exception: Grief Support Sharing Circle). Spaces are limited, so please register early to secure a spot. 

If you have any questions about these workshop sessions, please reach out to health.promotion@utoronto.ca. 

Geographical Proximity Clause

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This began with a geographical proximity clause attached to positions held by members of CUPE 3902 (TAs, Course Instructors, Invigilators etc.) in August, 2020.

Thanks to their swift action, the University has “clarified” (read: walked back) their confusing hiring policy that they flagged as unreasonable and potentially discriminatory.

This wording was later added to our contracts as Graduate Assistants at OISE. With clear push back from CUPE 3902 members, they came to CUPE 3907 with an updated and clearer policy regarding geographical proximity. The University has said that OISE GAs:

  • do not have to be in geographical proximity to U of T to perform remote work;

  • can perform remote work from anywhere in Canada; and

  • can perform remote work from outside of Canada should the “payroll, tax, and other laws of the jurisdiction” allow it.

With this being said, please make sure that you have a very honest conversation with your GA supervisor about your role and any geographical proximity requirements to fulfill your duties.

  • If you are outside of Canada, and have a SIN and Canadian bank account and your supervisor is aware and approves, you can continue your GA positions. Please also contact your department to make sure that they are aware and payroll can be processed.

  • If you are an international student trying to cross the border into Canada, please use this new updated contract at the border to support your entry into the country.

  • If you are outside of the province, please let your supervisor and department know.

International students and workers are a sizeable and important group at U of T, and we deserve better than casually-worded memos upending our shifting our conditions and financial certainty at the last minute.

Know that the University has not heard the last from us on this issue. Feel free to follow up with an executive member with any questions, concerns, or comments about this.

If you experience any push back from your department or supervisor around where you plan to be in the Winter, please contact Wales Wong, the Chief Steward at chiefsteward@cupe3907.ca and we will advocate for you (Anything you write to this address is strictly confidential and nothing moves forward without your consent).

Union Service Opportunities

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Departmental Stewards Wanted!

Are you interested in learning more about your contract? Do you enjoy helping others with workplace issues? 

There is currently one vacancy for Departmental Stewards EACH of the following departments: SJE, CTL and APHD.

Serving as a steward is a great way to become involved in the union, assist members, and ensure that issues affecting graduate workers in your department are brought to the union’s attention. As a steward:

  • You connect with other GAs in your department and support them in solving workplace and employment problems when they arise
  • You’ll learn how to interpret collective agreements, file grievances, represent members in grievance meetings, and act as a liaison between members and the Executive Committee
  • If there is a strike, you will get to be a part of the Strike Committee.
  • You have the opportunity to contribute and further develop your leadership skills and be a part of the broader labour movement to build workers’ power

This is a volunteer position. The number of hours per month are about 2-3 hours with some additional hours if matters concerning members from your department arise.

We will be holding an election at our next General Membership Meeting (G.M.M) on December 17, 2020 (at 6-7:30PM). CUPE 3907 members in your department will be able to vote, so invite them to attend the upcoming G.M.M!

Steward training will be provided and other union training is also available. This is a great chance to connect with others while being in a leadership role within CUPE 3907! If you are interested, please email the Chief Steward, Wales Wong, at chiefsteward@cupe3907.ca.

 

 

General Membership Meeting: Thursday, Dec 17th at 6 P.M EST

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Our last General Membership Meeting (G.M.M.) for 2020 is Thursday, Dec 17th at 6 P.M EST. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to get through all the items on our agenda during our November GMM, including donations requests. So we are scheduling another GMM to continue the discussion.

  • Date: Thursday, Dec 17th
  • Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m
  • Registration: Please register in advance. After you complete the form, we will verify your CUPE 3907 membership before sending you a unique link to join the meeting. https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwufuyvqz4iH9aqYKliRqzbx4-sKZyyc-Ud.
  • Agenda package: We will be sending out the agenda package closer to the meeting date. To add new items to the agenda, please email the Recording Secretary, Diana Barrero, at recordingsecretary@cupe3907.ca before Tuesday, Dec. 15th at noon.