GAPS update on TRIUMF salary announcement

[Gaps]

Dear Grads & Postdocs,


Summary/TL;DR: GAPS is working hard to improve communication on salary announcements from TRIUMF, and there has been movement on grad student minimum funding (it will increase!), postdoc policy based on feedback in GAPS survey and AGM, and we will push for honorariums that are transparent and fair. Watch for a GAPS meet & greet with management in August!



We want to follow up with you all about the statements from TRIUMF management regarding salary increases, grad/postdoc policies and honorariums.

While TRIUMF has now made it clear to us that the latest announcement of salary increase does not cover grads and postdocs, they are aware of the need for more action given the cost of living crisis.

Members of the GAPS Committee have had lengthy discussions with TRIUMF management on these topics since the June town hall/last week's email about salary increases, and we want to keep you updated on what is happening.


First of all, we’ve made it clear to management that these announcements need to be clear about who they’re targeting, and that they need to involve TRIUMF supervisors so that the correct information filters down to grads and postdocs.


Second, while the latest pay increase announcement will not affect TRIUMF grads and postdocs, we are working very hard to finalize the grad student policy, which will greatly increase grad student minimum funding. This just needs final sign-off and we are making sure this gets done as soon as possible, and the new policy should take effect in September.

For postdocs, we are taking your feedback from our GAPS survey and July AGM into account when we propose a postdoc policy in the near future. We’ve had positive indications from management that they are open to discussing a postdoc policy which could have a positive effect on current and incoming postdocs at the lab. If you would like an active role in this, don’t be afraid to get involved by emailing gaps at triumf.ca<mailto:gaps at triumf.ca>.


Third, we’ve been told that the merit-based honorarium mentioned in the latest email will be a focus of TRIUMF management. While so far we haven’t been given more information specifically about this than was in the email, we are pushing to make this process transparent and fair to all those eligible for it.


Finally, GAPS will be organizing a meet & greet with Sanjeev Dewett (TRIUMF Chief Administrative Officer) and other management so that grads and postdocs can share with them the issues they are facing while working at TRIUMF. This will be organized after Science week and the August long weekend, so keep an eye out for an announcement!


Please don’t be afraid to reach out to gaps at triumf.ca<mailto:gaps at triumf.ca> if you have any questions, comments or general reactions to this.


Best,


GAPS Committee

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