Daily News

posted on Sept. 17: Seven new faces in human resources

Seven new people have joined Human Resources Services (HRS), formerly the Office of Human Resources, this summer as part of a restructuring of the department. "We're pleased that we have attracted such outstanding people to McMaster as part of the first phase of our restructuring. These experienced, talented individuals will assist us greatly in providing better service and support to employees and leaders at McMaster," says Mark Haley, assistant vice-president human resources. Haley says the departmental restructuring was needed to enable HRS to provide better and more support and advice. The positions were advertised this summer in the Hamilton Spectator and the Globe and Mail. "There was, and still is, an obvious need to improve our labour relations within the McMaster community. We all need to put the 'relations' back into labour relations. This restructuring will significantly improve HRS's capacity to deal with employee and labour relations matters and be more effective in supporting our employees and leaders," says Haley. New HR staff (l-r): Murray Lapp, Anthony Celani, Melanie Sodtka, Melissa Sergiades, Wanda McKenna, Anna Marie Damiani, and Susan Mitchell. (Photo: Ron Scheffler) Click below for position and biographical information about these new staff.

posted on Sept. 14: Prime Minister declares National Day of Mourning

Prime Minister Jean Chretien has declared today a National Day of Mourning in honour of the memory of the victims of the U.S. disaster. All Canadians are asked to observe three minutes of silence beginning at 12:20 p.m. today. University President Peter George encourages the McMaster community to participate in this commemoration. "I would encourage everyone to observe the three minute silence as a sign of respect for all those who perished and for their loved ones." There will be an inter-faith community service held at Wentworth House Main Lounge at noon. For more information, contact the Chaplaincy Centre at ext. 24207. The Canadian government has set up an electronic book of condolence which is available starting today on the Government of Canada's commemoration internet site at http://commemoration.gc.ca. The City of Hamilton has also established a condolence book. Information about it can be obtained by clicking on www.city.hamilton.on.ca/News/releases/. The Ontario government has established a book of remembrance in the St. Lawrence Lounge in the lobby of 900 Bay St., Mowat Block, Queen's Park. Click on the Daily News story Alumni respond from New York, Washington for news from McMaster alumni living in New York and Washington.

posted on Sept. 13: University implementing monetary aspects of collective agreement

The University has announced a process for implementing the monetary aspects of the new Collective Agreement Between McMaster University and the McMaster University Staff Association. The agreement consists of the articles agreed upon in direct negotiations and the awards issued by arbitrator George Adams in July and August. The backpay in the July award will be implemented in a series of steps between September and December. "We are pleased to be proceeding with the implementation of this award and we share in our employees' enthusiasm for having reached this much-awaited stage in this process. Our financial and computing information services employees are working hard to meet the award target dates and we appreciate their support and commitment," says Karen Belaire, vice-president administration.