Dear Unit 1 Members,
It has come to our attention that many unit 1 members have not received their Allocation of Hours form.
According to our Collective Agreement, these should be provided to us by the end of the second week of classes. Our contracts started September 1st and it is now the third week of September. Many of us are are still waiting for the Allocation of Hours. Why?
Unfortunately, many faculty and departments are expecting us to grade student work without knowing how much time to spend on the task. They are expecting us to be available to students without providing a timeframe for student contact. They are expecting us to prepare for the course and seminars without telling us how many hours we have to do so. Some of our members aren’t even clear if they are required to attend lecture or to hold office hours. Or, those receiving them three weeks into the term are finding themselves ‘owing hours’ or ‘behind’ because they were supposed to be spending hours on tasks they were never told about.
Let’s be clear. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.
If you have a D1 or D2 contract and have been delegated tasks without an Allocation of Hours form, please:
- Keep track of the hours you are spending on these tasks so that they are included in your hours for the term.
- Reach out to your direct supervisor or Department Chair and ask when you will be receiving your AoH. It’s your right – this is not a favour we’re asking – it’s in our contract for them to provide us an AoH.
- Contact the union ASAP and let them know that you are working without an AoH.
We understand that many of our members don’t feel comfortable reaching out to the department about this – even though they are REQUIRED to provide you with an Allocation of Hours. Some of our graduate students have told us that they feel it’s risky to say something and they’re worried that they will be seen unfavourably in their department (and their graduate supervisor) for asking about it.
This is so unfortunate and devasting to hear that our members are worried about using their voice to protect their rights. What kind of work environment is that?
You always have support with CUPE 4207, your union! And, we will amplify your voice or be your voice in order to protect your workplace rights. If you require confidentiality because you are concerned about department backlash, contact us – we’ve got you covered. Always.
Please contact Brigitte Cecckin – Lead Steward or Phil Wachel – President (or any Executive Committee member) if you have not received your AoH.
In Solidarity!