Health & Safety Year End Wrap Up

Thank you to all the members of Unifor5555 for their support and understanding as I have
grown into this role over the last year. It has been a steep learning curve, and I thank everyone
for their patience.
Thank you to members that reported injuries and hazardous situations over the last year. One
hundred and thirty-four incidents were reported and followed up. We encourage this trend to
continue in 2026 so that we can ensure the health and safety of the McMaster community.
Reporting hazards is an important worker responsibility in the Occupational Health and Safety
Act.
We thank those members willing to exercise their right to participate by joining a Joint Health
and Safety Committee. Twenty-six individuals stepped forward to be named as worker
representatives on Joint Health and Safety Committees. We encourage others that are
interested to reach out so we can work together to have you named to the joint health and
safety committee in your area. We encourage everyone on a JHSC that has not yet participated
in Certification training to exercise your right to know by registering for the February session.
More information can be found here.
Unifor 5555 supported over two hundred and forty members in 2025 receiving salary
continuance, sick leave benefits or on unpaid sick leave. We have helped many work with the
University to transition back or, if needed, find additional resources to support their leave, their
WSIB claim or Long-Term disability claims. Dealing with an insurer can be difficult. We are glad
to be able to provide support.
Our Local continues to help members to work with the University to put workplace
accommodations in place. This can be a lengthy process, and we appreciate members’
patience as we work to find accommodations that meet individual needs and operational
requirements. It can be a difficult balance to meet.
As we transition to the new benefit plan, the benefit booklet is still being finalized, to be available
in 2026. We realize that there are lifetime maximums, particularly with fertility benefits, which
need to be better communicated to our members. We will work to find a way to ensure that this
information is communicated widely so that individuals are aware.
I would like to finish my message by encouraging members to consider giving an incredibly
special gift this holiday season. Consider being a living organ donor. Being a living donor for my
partner’s kidney transplant, giving him back his health, is a gift that I will treasure.
Have a great holiday season. Looking forward to all that we can do to ensure the continued
health and safety of the McMaster community in 2026.