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posted on Aug. 3: MUSA dues increase approved

Members of the McMaster University Staff Association (MUSA) will pay higher union dues in September as a result of the approval of a motion yesterday. . . .

posted on August 3: Long term disability premiums increase 49 per cent

Simon Ouellet, human resources director of benefits, compensation & staffing, sent the following e-mail Thursday afternoon to members of the McMaster University Staff Association, the McMaster University Faculty Association (except clinical faculty) and The Management Group: McMaster University's long term disability (LTD) plan is an income protection scheme that provides financial protection to employees who become totally disabled as a result of non-work related illnesses or injuries. Employees are responsible for 100 per cent of the premiums for this benefit plan, which is provided through Sun Life of Canada. Participation in the LTD plan is mandatory for eligible faculty and staff members with more than 12 months continuous service. LTD premiums have not increased since 1997; however, during this same period of time employee utilization of the LTD plan has dramatically increased. As a result, we have been advised by Sun Life of a 49 per cent increase in LTD premiums effective July 1, 2001. Meetings have been held with representatives of MUFA, TMG and MUSA to discuss the LTD premium increase. While it has been determined that an LTD premium increase is unavoidable, it has been agreed that the premium increase will be absorbed by LTD reserve funds for the months of July and August, 2001. The 49 per cent increase in LTD premiums will be implemented effective Sept. 1, 2001. LTD plan participants should note that their pay on Sept. 15, 2001 will reflect this premium increase. For an employee earning $40,000 annually, this means the LTD deduction will increase from $25.20 to $38.09 per month. In recognition of the increased utilization of the LTD plan, Human Resources, in cooperation with all employee groups, is responding with a new disability management initiative to be unveiled this fall. The goal of this initiative is early reporting and intervention in order to minimize or avoid LTD claims. Human Resources is also working with Student Health Service and Athletics & Recreation on a employee health and wellness initiative designed to provide effective health promotion and disease prevention for all employees. We hope that these initiatives will help control future LTD costs. If you have any questions on this premium increase, you may contact Wanda McKenna, human resources officer, benefits, at ext. 24855 or any member of the benefits section at ext. 24552. (End of story)

posted on August 1: Engineering physics professor appointed to William Sinclair Chair in Optoelectronics

Engineering physics professor Peter Mascher has been appointed to the William Sinclair Chair in Optoelectronics. "Peter Mascher has been a stellar administrator as chair of engineering physics and is eager to expand on his research work," said Mo Elbestawi, dean of engineering. "The Faculty is fortunate to have such an enthusiastic researcher of his calibre. We are excited about awarding this prestigious honour to Dr. Mascher." Mascher obtained a PhD in engineering physics from the Technical University Graz, Austria and spent about four years as a post-doctoral fellow and research associate at the University of Winnipeg. He joined McMaster University in 1989 in a position initially funded by the Ontario Centre for Materials Research. He is a professional engineer and a professor in the Department of Engineering Physics and has been department chair since 1995. Mascher leads active research groups involved in the fabrication and characterization of thin oxide/nitride films for optoelectronic applications and in the characterization of defects in semiconductors by positron annihilation spectroscopy. His research work is funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council and several federal and provincial centres of excellence, as well as industry. Recently he spearheaded a successful application to the Ontario Research and Development Challenge Fund to establish the Ontario Photonics Consortium, an initiative centred at McMaster and involving the participation of research teams from the University of Western Ontario, the University of Waterloo and Queen's University. Mascher has authored or co-authored more than 100 publications in refereed journals and conference proceedings, has presented several invited lectures at international conferences and has graduated 14 PhD and master's students. He is a member of McMaster's Brockhouse Institute for Materials Research and the Centre for Electrophotonic Materials and Devices, as well as a number of international physics and materials research societies. (End of story)

posted on July 31: Arbitrator releases interim award for McMaster University Staff Association

A message was issued to the McMaster community on Tuesday afternoon regarding the arbitrator's release of an interim award for the McMaster University Staff Association (MUSA). A copy of the joint communique from McMaster University president Peter George and MUSA president Barry Diacon follows: We wish to inform you that arbitrator George Adams has released an interim award in the settlement of the McMaster University Staff Association's first contract with the University. As you recall, the University and MUSA agreed in April to voluntary mediation/arbitration. The interests and priorities of each party were presented to the arbitrator in May and June. At that time it was anticipated that a final award would be issued by the arbitrator by July 31, 2001. After having considered the party's interests, Mr. Adams has issued an interim award. He has indicated that he requires additional clarification on some issues and is currently attempting to confirm a date to meet with both parties to finalize the complete award. The interim award provides MUSA members with the final details around salary increases and improvements to the major medical and dental benefit plans. The award provides for increases as follows: 2.0% 1999/00 3.2% 2000/01 3.0% 2001/02 2.5% 2002/03 We encourage all members of the community to take the time to become informed about the interim award. Complete details on salary increases and the salary grid can be found on both the McMaster Human Resources and the MUSA Web sites. The interim award begins the process of implementing MUSA's first collective agreement. This award marks the beginning of a new relationship between MUSA and the University. (End of story)

posted on July 30: McMaster bids warm farewell to Harvey Weingarten

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Harveyfarewell.jpg” caption=”Harvey Weingarten, President George”]His farewell was bittersweet. Harvey, I know that you keep telling me that no one is irreplaceable, but I . . .

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posted on Aug. 3: MUSA dues increase approved

posted on August 3: Long term disability premiums increase 49 per cent

posted on August 1: Engineering physics professor appointed to William Sinclair Chair in Optoelectronics

posted on July 31: Arbitrator releases interim award for McMaster University Staff Association

posted on July 30: McMaster bids warm farewell to Harvey Weingarten

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