The presidents of AMURE and MUNACA delivered a letter requesting that the principal reconsider the payroll deductions as a result of the inplementation of a delay in the pay system. On November 12, 2013, both AMURE and MUNACA presidents had a meeting with the Principal and VP Michael Di Grappa on November 22nd at 5:15 p.m. At this meeting both presidents explained how the pay delay, which only applies to the unionized members and is thus discriminatory, and that the “loan” repayment method would cause a hardship for our members. During the course of the meeting, Michael Di Grappa made it clear that by implementing the new payroll system, with a delay for AMURE and MUNACA only, that the university would save money. Those who attended the information sessions may recall that HR claimed that the delay would not result in any cost savings.
After explaining that the repayment method would cause an added hardship for our members only, the principal replied that she could not understand how an deduction of $13 to $20 per pay for almost 2 years would be a hardship on our members. We explained that many members live pay cheque to pay cheque and any reduction to their take-home pay is indeed a hardship. The Impact of the payroll deductions due to the delay will also be amplified by the 2.2% reduction in salary due to the pension plan changes on January 1st. The principal stated that if any members did find this a hardship, the administration would be willing to help. As it is unclear how they might help, we encourage any members that find this to be a hardship to contact the principal and ask for her assistance.
MUNACA and AMURE presidents continue to be upset that McGill continues to place the burden of this administrative change entirely on our members. With the implementation of this payroll delay, the administration of principal Suzanne Fortier treats our members as entries on a spreadsheet and not as human beings with families and needs that will be severely impacted by an administrative change of trivial benefit to the university.
MUNACA and AMURE members have brought this issue to the comission des relations du travail. The complaints (over 300 individual complaints) will be heard on December 9th, 2013.