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Compensation, Benefits & Retirement Plans

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McMaster University recognizes everyone as a leader in their own role. All employees are vital contributors to McMaster’s renowned culture of creativity, innovation and diversity. McMaster offers robust, market-driven compensation, benefits, retirement savings plans/pensions, time off and performance and service recognition. McMaster’s employee programs attract, develop and retain an outstanding workforce eager to share their time, talents and successes.  McMaster is committed to regularly reviewing its compensation programs to identify and address any systemic adverse impacts to equity deserving groups.

Total rewards offerings are specific to each employee group at McMaster.
Select your employee group to learn more.

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Faculty and Senior Academic Librarians (MUFA) Learn More

Professors, Associate Professors, Assistant Professors, Lecturers and Senior Academic Librarians a part of the McMaster University Faculty Association (MUFA) professional association.

Librarians (MUALA) Learn More

Academic Librarians provide support for research and teaching; lead the preservation, collection and provision of scholarly materials; and, are involved in independent scholarly activities.

TMG Learn More

The Management Group (TMG) includes directors and managers with supervisory responsibility and employees without supervisory responsibility and who are exempt from unionized employee groups due to the confidential nature of the work they perform.

Staff (Unifor Local 5555, Unit 1) Learn More

Staff at McMaster include non-management, non-academic employees at the University. This employee group is represented by Unifor Local 5555, Unit 1.

Parking and Transit Services (Unifor Local 5555, Unit 3) Learn More

Parking Control Officers at McMaster are involved in overseeing parking facilities and alternative means of transportation at the University. This employee group is represented by Unifor Local 5555, Unit 3.

Special Constables (Unifor Local 5555, Unit 4) Learn More

Special Constables are sworn Peace Officers, on campus. This employee group is represented by Unifor Local 5555, Unit 4.

Operations and Maintenance (Unifor Local 5555, Unit 5) Learn More

Operations and maintenance staff are involved in the maintenance and service of grounds and buildings on campus. This employee group is represented by Unifor Local 5555, Unit 5.

Hospitality Services (SEIU, Local 2) Learn More

Hospitality staff are non-supervisory employees, including cooks and cafeteria help, in the department of Hospitality Services. This employee group is represented by SEIU, Local 2.

Machinists (SEIU, Local 2) Learn More

Machinists are employees in the Engineering Machine Shop, Nuclear Instrument Machine Shop and Senior Sciences Instrument Machine Shop. This employee group is represented by SEIU, Local 2.

Operating Engineers (Local 772, IUOE) Learn More

Operating Engineers are stationary engineers and their helpers employed in the Power House.This employee group is represented by Local 772, IUOE.

Teaching Assistants (CUPE, Local 3906, Unit 1) Learn More

Teaching assistants are teaching assistants, demonstrators, tutors, markers, or research assistants who receive a research assistantship in lieu of teaching assistantship.This employee group is represented by CUPE, Local 3906, Unit 1.

Sessional Faculty (CUPE, Local 3906, Unit 2) Learn More

Sessional Faculty have full or joint full responsibility for the teaching of one or more University degree credit courses.This employee group is represented by CUPE, Local 3906, Unit 2.

Post-Doctoral Fellows (CUPE, Local 3906, Unit 3) Learn More

Post-doctoral fellows are trainees with the University who provide their services in exchange for developmental opportunities. This employee group is represented by CUPE, Local 3906, Unit 3.

Non-Union Post-Doctoral Fellows Learn More

Post-doctoral fellows are trainees with the University who provide their services in exchange for developmental opportunities. Non-union PDFs are employed in the Faculty of Health Sciences or not employed in Faculty of Health Sciences but 100% directly paid by external agency.

Clinical Faculty Learn More

Clinical faculty are full-time faculty members and academic physicians, with a dual appointment at McMaster University and one of our clinical partners.

Clinical Fellows and Clinical Scholars Learn More

Clinical Fellows are appointed to carry out advanced study and research in collaboration with a faculty supervisor. He/she has obtained an MD with speciality certification and holds an educational licence from the CPSO. Clinical Scholars undertake either additional specialized training in clinical procedures or formal research training at the Masters or Doctoral level.

Temporary/Casual/Interim Learn More

Temporary/Casual/Interim Employees are employed in a position with a duration of less than 6 months or having no specified schedule for a definite or indefinite duration. Students employed under the McMaster Student Work program are considered temporary/casual/interim employees.

Affiliates Learn More

McMaster Affiliates are employed by Divinity College, MUFA Administration, McMaster Children’s Centre, Regional Medical Association (RMA), McMaster Innovation Park (MIP) and Allergen.