McGill has confirmed to all faculty and staff that MUNACA (McGill University Non-academic Certified Association) is now on strike (http://www.mcgill.ca/hr/channels/announcments/176849). Because MUNACA represents many of our clerical staff, lab technicians and other support staff, the Faculty of Medicine is certainly impacted by this decision.
Our priority is to continue teaching students and advancing our research throughout the duration of the strike, and we will achieve this by doing all we can to minimize disruptions in our departments. Without a doubt, this will be a challenging period for all of us, and I thank you in advance for working together cooperatively and with patience as we address issues that arise.
The steps taken in the Faculty of Medicine to help minimize disruptions to date include:
- Over the last several months, the administrative managers in each of your departments, at the request of the Faculty, analyzed needs in the event of a strike and defined contingency plans to help minimize disruptions in your specific areas. These contingency plans should now be in place in each of your departments. If you have questions about your plan, please contact your department’s administrative manager.
- The Faculty’s senior administration is liaising with the University’s central administration to remain abreast of developments, while meeting regularly to evaluate the Faculty’s situation, discuss issues and propose solutions.
- A Faculty Contingency Committee, including representation from the Basic Science and Clinical Departments, the schools, research and the support functions, is in place for consultation and to help ensure contingency information is communicated effectively in your areas.
- A second committee specific to the Faculty’s research activities is also being established to help advance solutions and mitigate the impact in these areas.
- A protected Web site will go live in the coming days to post important information, updates and answers to frequently asked questions specific to the Faculty.
In the event you have questions that are not addressed in your contingency plan and cannot be answered at the departmental level or by your Chair or Director, your next point of contact is Melina Tondino in the Faculty’s Human Resources Office at: Contingency.med@mcgill.ca.
It is important to review the message sent by McGill today, including their frequently asked questions (http://www.mcgill.ca/hr/labour-relations-news). Questions 16 and 17 deal specifically with who can work during a strike and the functions non-striking employees are allowed to perform as per the Quebec Labour Code. Only Managers, as defined by the Code, may assume the duties of a striking MUNACA employee. Failure to comply could result in legal action and monetary penalties for the Faculty.
It is our hope that this situation will be resolved quickly, but we must be prepared in the event this is not the case. Throughout the strike’s duration, we encourage constructive input, conversation and collective problem-solving, and we thank you again for your collaboration and patience over the coming weeks.
Sincerely,
Samuel Benaroya
Interim Vice Principal (Health Affairs)
Interim Dean of the Faculty of Medicine
McGill has confirmed to all faculty and staff that MUNACA (McGill University Non-academic Certified Association) is now on strike (http://www.mcgill.ca/hr/channels/announcments/176849). Because MUNACA represents many of our clerical staff, lab technicians and other support staff, the Faculty of Medicine is certainly impacted by this decision.
Our priority is to continue teaching students and advancing our research throughout the duration of the strike, and we will achieve this by doing all we can to minimize disruptions in our departments. Without a doubt, this will be a challenging period for all of us, and I thank you in advance for working together cooperatively and with patience as we address issues that arise.
The steps taken in the Faculty of Medicine to help minimize disruptions to date include:
- Over the last several months, the administrative managers in each of your departments, at the request of the Faculty, analyzed needs in the event of a strike and defined contingency plans to help minimize disruptions in your specific areas. These contingency plans should now be in place in each of your departments. If you have questions about your plan, please contact your department’s administrative manager.
- The Faculty’s senior administration is liaising with the University’s central administration to remain abreast of developments, while meeting regularly to evaluate the Faculty’s situation, discuss issues and propose solutions.
- A Faculty Contingency Committee, including representation from the Basic Science and Clinical Departments, the schools, research and the support functions, is in place for consultation and to help ensure contingency information is communicated effectively in your areas.
- A second committee specific to the Faculty’s research activities is also being established to help advance solutions and mitigate the impact in these areas.
- A protected Web site will go live in the coming days to post important information, updates and answers to frequently asked questions specific to the Faculty.
In the event you have questions that are not addressed in your contingency plan and cannot be answered at the departmental level or by your Chair or Director, your next point of contact is Melina Tondino in the Faculty’s Human Resources Office at: Contingency.med@mcgill.ca.
It is important to review the message sent by McGill today, including their frequently asked questions (http://www.mcgill.ca/hr/labour-relations-news). Questions 16 and 17 deal specifically with who can work during a strike and the functions non-striking employees are allowed to perform as per the Quebec Labour Code. Only Managers, as defined by the Code, may assume the duties of a striking MUNACA employee. Failure to comply could result in legal action and monetary penalties for the Faculty.
It is our hope that this situation will be resolved quickly, but we must be prepared in the event this is not the case. Throughout the strike’s duration, we encourage constructive input, conversation and collective problem-solving, and we thank you again for your collaboration and patience over the coming weeks.
Sincerely,
Samuel Benaroya
Interim Vice Principal (Health Affairs)
Interim Dean of the Faculty of Medicine