Pronouns Matter: Small Words, Big Impact

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.

Overcrowding Isn’t Pedagogy

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.

CUPE 4207 Unit 1 & Unit 5 Solidarity Rally & Community BBQ

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!

Truth and Reconciliation Day

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. 

Truth and Reconciliation Sept 30th

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

  • Read the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) 94 Calls to Action and
    reflect on those connected to education, equity, and justice, or whatever is your
    own nuanced domain.
  • Attend local events in Niagara marking Truth and Reconciliation Day. These
    gatherings are opportunities to learn directly from Indigenous community
    members and knowledge keepers.
  • Engage in ongoing learning by exploring resources such as the National Centre
    for Truth and Reconciliation, CUPE’s reconciliation guides, and Brock University’s
    Indigenous initiatives.
  • Support Indigenous-led work in our communities, including through
    partnerships with local Indigenous organizations in the Niagara region.
  • Bring reconciliation into your role—whether by incorporating Indigenous
    authors in syllabi, ensuring equity in student services, or advocating for policies
    that reflect Indigenous rights and perspectives.

Resources for Our Region: For those wishing to go further, I recommend the following starting points:

  • The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action: available on the
    National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website and also this link
  • CUPE’s Reconciliation Guide and resources on bargaining for recognition of this day.
  • The Niagara Region’s Indigenous Engagement initiatives and Creating Our Way Forward report, which highlight local pathways for reconciliation.
  • Indigenous programming and support services offered through Brock
    University.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/british-columbians-our-governments/indigenous-people/aboriginal-peoples-documents/calls_to_action_english2.pdf


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

U1: Have you received your Allocation of Hours form?

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!

Draw the Line

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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Join our Brothers and Sisters at Niagara College

On Friday, September 19th let’s make it our biggest day yet. Across campuses across the province, let’s invite students, community members, part-time support and faculty to join us to fight for a fair contract and for the public college system we deserve!
Will you forward this message to someone to come to join you and your co-workers for our Solidary Day of Action on Friday, September 19th at 12pm? 

As of last Thursday, 10,000 full-time college support staff hit the picket lines across Ontario, fighting to protect the future of student supports and public education in Ontario.
Colleges are the backbone of our communities – and access to affordable education in our backyards has been a cornerstone of Ontario’s economy, graduating thousands of qualified workers that Ontario’s labour force needs.This is our time to defend Ontario’s public college system. This is a fight about access to local opportunities, funding public services, and keeping good jobs in our communities, as the employer suggests more layoffs are coming soon.
Now more than ever, we need to show Doug Ford and the college administration that college full-time support workers on strike have the support of all of OPSEU/SEFPO behind them – we are strong, united and no one is fighting alone!
Will you join a Solidarity Picket to Save our Colleges on Friday, September 19 at 12 p.m. for community and labour allies?

In Solidarity,
Bob Holder
President
OPSEU/SFEPO Local 243
Niagara College Support Staff

Can’t make it on Friday? Find a Picket Line HERE

Take Back the Night

This important event is being held this Thursday after our GMM. Everyone is welcome to attend, 6:30pm start time. 7pm Community Speakers 8pm Candle Lit March. Market Square St. Catharines. 91 King St.

September General Membership Meeting

Welcome back Everyone! All are welcomed and encouraged to come online or in person to the first General Membership Meeting of the new term. We have lots of updates and information on the agenda.

Date: September 18 @ 4:30pm
Location/Hybrid:  Zoom and in person (Plaza 600F)

 To vote in Elections, you must register for the meeting 24 hours in advance.

Elections

– Unit 4 Bargaining Committee

– Ontario Federation of Labour Convention: One delegate and One Young Worker delegate

-Bargaining Updates

OSSTF 35 Food Drive Request

A light dinner will be served for those attending in person. Feel free to arrive early.

You need to register 24 hours in advance to be able to vote in elections. This includes those folks attending in person. Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/JHZ-GFPkTOWCNeVqQYZ-Hg

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.