Once again we invite all members out to board game night. Come to the Sanky Chambers at 6:30 Wed Oct 29th for great board games and some chips, pop and other snacks. Wet wipes will be provided. Please send any game or snack request to Dan the M.O.O.

Academic Contract Workers at Brock University
Once again we invite all members out to board game night. Come to the Sanky Chambers at 6:30 Wed Oct 29th for great board games and some chips, pop and other snacks. Wet wipes will be provided. Please send any game or snack request to Dan the M.O.O.

We need to show our presence on the Thursday BBQ and we need some good signs to help out. Come on out to lend a hand and make some amazing signs. Come to the Union office in Glenridge A121, Wednesday October 22nd 12:30-4:00pm.

Delegates at this year’s National Convention in Toronto received a copy of Judy Darcy’s Leading from the Heart. Judy Darcy is a former CUPE National President and served as the Elections Officer at the 2025 Convention.

Join the CUPE Ontario Young Workers Committee for an interactive webinar exploring the importance of pronouns in building inclusive and respectful communities. This session will help participants understand the basics of pronouns, why they matter, and how small changes in language can make a big difference in supporting gender diversity and belonging. All members are welcomed to come to the zoom meeting. Please register here.


Quality education can’t happen when learning spaces – whether in person or virtual – are packed beyond capacity.
Unit 5, Our Faculty of Education Instructors, are standing up against the normalization of overcrowded classes that undermine student success and exploit academic workers.
Unit 1 is facing the same challenges, as seminar sizes are beyond room capacity. Our online members are being exploited with dozens of extra students without extra pay.
It’s time for real investment in education, not austerity disguised as efficiency.

Join us for our CUPE 4207 Solidarity Rally & Community BBQ!
Date: Thursday, October 23rd, 2025.
Time: 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm.
Location: Outside Glenridge A (corner of Glenridge Ave & John Macdonell St).
Parking: Paid parking in Lot E or Lot Glenridge (HONK app).
We’ll have hot dogs, hamburgers, drinks, and vegetarian options on the grill.
Both Unit 1 (Instructors, Course Coordinators, Teaching Assistants, Marker-Graders, and Lab Demonstrators) and Unit 5 (Faculty of Education Instructors) are standing together on three key priorities that resonate across the labour movement.
We’re not asking – we’re demanding!
Reasonable Class & Seminar Sizes – because we teach to students, not Stadiums;
Fair Hiring Practices – because we earned our Seniority, it’s not optional;
Fair & Comparable Wages – because we need to afford our rent and groceries.
JOIN US!
Did you know? The Unit 2, 3, and 4 collective agreements contain a Letter of Understanding that gives members the ability to request release to attend university events, activities or training related to Truth and Reconciliation if September 30 falls on a workday.

Dear CUPE 4207 Members,
Today, on September 30, 2025, we observe National Day for Truth and
Reconciliation, a day to honour the Survivors of Canada’s residential school system, the
children who never returned home, and the families and communities who continue to
carry this legacy. This day also coincides with Orange Shirt Day, a grassroots initiative
that began with Phyllis Webstad’s story of having her orange shirt taken from her on
her first day at a residential school. It has since become a symbol of the profound loss
of culture, identity, and dignity experienced by generations of Indigenous Peoples.
This day exists because of Call to Action #80 from the Truth and Reconciliation
Commission (TRC), which urged the creation of a statutory holiday dedicated to
commemoration. But commemoration alone is not enough.
For CUPE 4207 members, this day is both a time of reflection and a call to
responsibility.
As your Equity Officer, I encourage us all to journey together in consideration of what
truth and reconciliation means, in the context of our work, our classrooms, and our
communities and other spaces of influence.
Reconciliation is not an abstract concept—it is about listening deeply to Indigenous
voices, acknowledging ongoing inequities, and taking concrete steps to ensure that
Indigenous perspectives and knowledges are respected and included and prioritized.
It is also about holding institutions, including our own, accountable for meaningful
change.
What We Can Do as Members
Resources for Our Region: For those wishing to go further, I recommend the following starting points:
I invite all members to use this day not only to remember, but to recommit ourselves to
the work of reconciliation. As a local, we must continue to ask:
How can CUPE 4207 contribute to justice, healing, and equity?
Let us take this opportunity to stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities—on
September 30, 2025 and every day thereafter.
In solidarity,
Kay Waboso
Equity Officer
CUPE 4207

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:
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!
Draw the Line is a rally “For people, for peace, for the planet. Join us!” This Saturday September 20th @ 12pm. Niagara Falls Convention Centre, 6815 Stanley Ave, Niagara Falls, Canada. More information on their website here. NEW INFO: We learned that a FREE bus will take members from St. Catharines to this event. Please reach out to Dan the Moo if you need a ride for more information.
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