Better Benefits

Exciting changes are happening with the Unit 1 Benefits. The first major change is that we are now going to a full year plan. No more opting out three times a year. Members in the plan will have full coverage from October 1st 2025 to September 30th 2026, or a year from the start of a contract. Enrollement emails begin to go out October 1st.

The other major change is that benefits are now a lower cost to you, if you qualify for subsidized benefits. To qualify for subsidized benefits, you must work at least 195 hours in a semester. The full year cost for benefits is $500 dollars taken from the last five pays  of a term. If you signed a Fall contract the first withdrawal should be October 24th directly from our paycheques. Then, you only need to use the benefits and never worry if you will lose coverage, especially in the Spring. Please reach out here for questions and make sure you utilize all our benefits have to offer. See our benefits page or reach out to the executive or Greenshields for any help.

A health union starts with a healthy you  

CNI Day 2025 Welcome Back

Unit 4 Clinical Nurse Instructors met over lunch with CUPE 4207 and Outreach Officer Dan Barnowski August 19 & 20th to discuss upcoming bargaining. Unit 4 ratified their first ever collective agreement in 2024 and will be bargaining again at the end of this year.

Niagara Region Labour Council Seeks Volunteers

Hello members,
The 2025-26 school year is almost upon us, and that means it’s time to fill some backpacks
with the United Way! We are looking for 15 volunteers to help us with the NRLC’s day to fill backpacks.
It would be great to have a variety of locals come out and support the kids who need our help.
1200 backpacks await us, and if you would like to help out, please fill out the attached form.
The first 15 volunteers will be selected, and anyone signing up after will be an alternate in case we need
extra help. Thank you, and hope to see you there!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqFIu0ksxOPuTr_0uOC0hl_UwCbczEwebXe1JAvem_fB
DOcQ/viewform?usp=dialog

Date: Tuesday, August 26th Time: 1:30-5:00 pm Location: Beatties Warehouse

399 Vansickle Road, St Catharines Spots are first come, first served.

Our Time Together: A national space for Indigenous, Black, and racialized CUPE members and allies

The Equity committee recommends this CUPE event to all members. Register here by August 28th.

“Let’s get together to talk about how we keep building an anti-racist union. This online meeting takes place Sunday, September 14, 2025, from 1-4 pm EDT. Our hosts are Debra Merrier, CUPE National diversity vice-president representing Indigenous workers, and Aubrey Gonsalves, CUPE National diversity vice-president representing Black and racialized workers.”

Attention U1 Instructors! CPI’s Course (re)Design Institute

Attention all Unit 1 instructors! CPI is hosting a three day workshop on course design. Tuesday, August 19 2025 at 9:00 AM EDT to Thursday, August 21 2025 at 4:00 PM EDT.

The Course (re)Design Institute is designed for Brock instructors including faculty members, part-time and sessional instructors who will be teaching a course(s) in the 2025/26 academic year.

Instructors will have the opportunity to engage in workshops on learning outcomes and alignment, assessment and activity design, using Brightspace, and accessible pedagogy. Time will also be dedicated to working on designing or redesigning elements of your course (e.g. syllabus, Brightspace course site, assessment design).

Click on the link to RVSP for the workshop: https://experiencebu.brocku.ca/event/292340

Did you know that CPI offers an Instructor Certificate Program in University Teaching and Learning? Click HERE for more details and information.

Volunteers Needed: Lend a Hand, Share a Smile

We received this appeal from Brock’s Outreach Officer. Let’s come together and show this group CUPE4207/Brock hospitality.

Hi Badgers! We need your help!

The team at Hadiya’dagenhahs have been working hard to organize supports for the many Manitoba wildfire evacuees still stuck in Niagara Falls. Brock will be hosting groups of Indigenous youth on campus 4-8 pm on Thursdays throughout August. Volunteers are needed to help facilitate activities.

Starting Thursday July 31st, Brock will be hosting groups of Indigenous youth (ages 12-17) who are evacuees from the fires in northern Manitoba for fun activities and sports.

We urgently need volunteers to help watch and guide these wonderful young people during their activities.

Volunteers are needed Thursday evenings until the end of August from 4:30-8:00pm on campus at the Ian Beddis Gym.

If you enjoy spending time with youth, want to learn about Indigenous culture, or just want to help some people in need, please consider RSVPing today!

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Volunteer info: https://experiencebu.brocku.ca/event/297397 

Additionally, a link to a recent CBC article about the evacuees’ situation: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/pukatawagan-evacuees-two-month-1.7593106

Bargaining Updates

Hello Unit 1 and Unit 5 members but all members generally,

The Bargaining Committee is posting updates to our website. Follow along with these updates on our page for Unit 1 here. Click on the unit 5 tab above to learn more about the formation of this unit and their work in bargaining. Remember than anyone can sign up for CAT training to help rally our members! See the below post or our social media for information and sign up for CAT training here.