Dino Dutz – President

Hello!

My name is Dino Dutz and I would like to work for you as President of MUNACA.

I have been a MUNACA member since the founding of this Union over 30 years ago. During this time, I have consistently supported my fellow union members, both on an informal basis and as a representative on numerous committees.  I care deeply about our working conditions and the protection of workers’ rights.

I am outraged by Employer’s shameless expectation that we continue to provide excellence under increasingly understaffed, overworked and underpaid conditions amidst economic and political turmoil, while these same deteriorating conditions don’t seem to apply to the University’s upper management or senior administration.

NEGOTIATIONS. I was appointed to the Negotiations Committee to ensure that your voice is heard at the table.  We are dealing with an obstinate Employer who appears to be systematically dismantling and eroding rights I’ve been a part of fighting for, and which we’ve attained, over the last 3 decades.  Fighting for a fair contract is my first priority.

Our jobs are being threatened by abolitions, relocations and layoffs due to questionable management decisions and poorly communicated, haphazardly implemented re-orgs and “restructuring”. I will not sit back and watch as the Employer runs rampant over our Collective Agreement.  I will respond with decisive action.  I will lead MUNACA in fighting back.

YOUR FUTURE. I am running for president because I have the experience, skills and backbone to get the job done.  For me, this role is not a stepping stone to a political career or a comfortable ride to retirement. To thrive in the face of an Employer and a government that wants to shut unions down, we cannot rely on the old ways of doing things.  This is an opportunity to breathe new life into this Union. Every member’s voice is crucial.

With the support of a strong Executive team, the president may be the captain of the ship, but YOU are giving the directions.

I have the privilege of running with Action MUNACA, an extraordinary slate of talented individuals who are committed to working together to serve you. If you are thinking of voting for me, I hope you will also consider voting for Augusto Cuellar Diaz, Helen Ogundeji, Adriana Sgambetterra, Robin Stanford and Debra Yee.

Talk is cheap. It’s time for ACTION.

Augusto Cuellar Diaz – VP Internal

Hello, Bonjour, Hola!

My name is Augusto Alfonso Cuellar Diaz.

I joined the Union Council in 2024 and am running for VP Internal because of who I am. 

If people are suffering and I can do something: I Will Help.

I am a Cuban MD by training, with two medical specialties, and now work in Nursing. I have followed the Hippocratic Oath for my entire professional life. I am an advocate for ethical conduct and fostering an environment of well-being.

I am running for VP Internal because I see members suffering. I see the terrible things that McGill does everyday; the layoffs we are kept in the dark about, the times they invade member’s personal lives, and all of the impacts of treating members like they are less than human in the name of “growth” and “revenue”. I know the negative impact on our members and the fear of being kept in the dark, not knowing what will happen next. 

If elected, my mission as VP Internal will be to support, help, and fight for ALL MEMBERS. From day one, I will foster teamwork, transparency with the membership, and ensure that MUNACA becomes the strong force that you all deserve. 

I will work to ensure that all committees and members are constantly informed and have access to their Union’s documents. I will support our office staff so that they can make sure you are taken care of as effectively as possible. I will make sure that no one is left scrambling because documents cannot be found or that work has to be done in double or triple. 

I give you my word that YOU will always be the reason that I fight. 

I strongly support Action MUNACA in these elections, with Dino Dutz, Helen Ogundeji, Robin Stanford, Adriana Sgambetterra and Debra Yee for the Executive.

I also support our Fight Back committee members; Bishara Assaly, Sarah Butler, and Melissa Martella. 

Over our time together I have witnessed their dedication, passion and resilience. I know in my heart that they share my passion for supporting members and never backing down when fighting for the interest of MUNACA members. I am not wrong when calling all of them Tenacious and Persevering Warriors.

Helen Ogundeji – VP M-Affairs

Hi there!

My name is Helen Ogundeji and I am thrilled to be running for the position of VP M-Affairs. Since joining McGill I have worked as both a Student Affairs Administrator at the Institute of Health and Social Policy and an Administrative Assistant at Desautels, Faculty of Management. 

As a former Student Affairs Administrator and M1 member myself, I bring a grounded understanding of our employment context and a visceral knowledge that M1s have not been adequately represented across the union. I am not at all new to the MUNACA team; as the outgoing Chair of the Solidarity Committee and current union steward, I would bring my experience advocating for the membership’s fair treatment in both the day-to-day and long term contexts. I know how important it is for M1s to be properly represented within the union, especially during this turbulent period of ongoing negotiations with an increasingly aggressive Employer. Facing this challenge head on with the emotional fortitude and integrity required, I aim to advocate for M1s with a ferocity that is long overdue, channeling my experience as an EDI champion across a variety of roles both at the University and in community.      

If elected, I will bring the same professionalism and authenticity to my work as I have in other areas of my professional life, such as my tenure as Vice-President of the Board of Directors at Head & Hands / À Deux Mains. There I have had the privilege of directly supporting the organization’s ongoing mission of providing holistic, harm-reductive services to local youth and other service users. In this capacity, I have played a strategic role in developing organizational policy, administering human resources oversight, and reviewing financial stewardship alongside organizational leadership, namely the organization’s Executive Director. 

If elected, I will leverage my prior governance experience to bridge knowledge and operational gaps across the Executive’s work, in conjunction with the VP Internal and VP Finance. I will survey and champion the needs of M1s across McGill. I will be your voice within the executive and at the negotiations table.

Finally, I am running alongside others that I trust for the executive team who will work for ALL members of MUNACA: Dino Dutz, Augusto Cuellar Diaz, Adriana Sgambetterra, Robin Stanford and Debra Yee. 

For too long we’ve been told the Executive represents us without any M1s seated at the table… 

Talk is cheap. It’s time for ACTION.

Adriana Sgambetterra – VP Finance

Hi!

I’m Adriana and I’ve done this before. 

My name is Adriana Sgambetterra and I am running for VP Finance. 

It is unacceptable that our membership doesn’t know where our money is. It’s been one year since the 2024 AGM and you have a right to know what we have in the bank and ALL members should get to have a say in how we use it. 

I have direct experience in treasury for independent unions, including with le Syndicat General.

I am the right person for VP finance because I bring a unique, hands-on expertise to the position. 

Once elected, these are my goals for my first term:

• Conduct an intensive audit into MUNACA finances 
• Provide a full report of our finances to the membership
• Develop and implement best practices for union financial management
• Involve the membership in financial decision making 
• Assess our funding and look into how MUNACA money can help YOU

Vote for me if you want to help me put MUNACA in a fighting position as we face the employer’s austerity measures and in a stronger place for negotiations. 

I know what the right people for the job looks like. This is why I am presenting with a strong executive team composed of Dino Dutz, Helen Ogundeji, Augusto Cuellar Diaz, Robin Stanford and Debra Yee.

A year is too long to wait to find out what our Union finances are. Saying “coming soon…” only goes so far. 

Talk is cheap. It’s time for ACTION.

Souad Hammami – Chair Finance

Hello,

My name is Souad Hammami and I am presenting for Chair of the Finance Committee.

When I joined the Union Council, I immediately became a member of the Finance committee to help make sure that we remained fiscally responsible. I was mystified by where my dues were going and that was the one thing that I know everyone else is, too.

What does the union do with our money?

Since joining the finance committee there have been an amount of meetings that I can count on one hand. Unfortunately, even during these meetings and outside of them, I was unable to receive answers to what specific numbers were, what investments MUNACA is pursuing and if they are aligned with the
membership’s requirements.

I believe that the power of a union lies in wise financial planning to ensure strength for members at times of difficulty with the Employer. Members are entitled to and should know how MUNACA is doing from year to year and what is happening with our money.

The fact that the 2023-2024 Audit is almost a year late in presenting is unacceptable.

If elected, I will make sure that the Finance Committee meets regularly and we all know what is going on with regular reports to the membership.

I will work hand in hand with the VP Finance to make sure that the
Union, your dues, and your financial investments work well for you.

Sincerely,
Souad

Debra Yee – VP Communications and Mobilization

My name is Debra Yee and I’m running for the position of Vice President Communications and Mobilization. 

I’ve been involved in the Union since the strike of 2011 in various elected positions, including the Negotiations Committee. I was VP Comms from 2019 to 2022.  I resigned from my Executive position in late 2022 as the actions and inaction of the Union ran against my core principals. 

Given the lack of information, I came back as a Chief Steward in June 2024 to find out from the inside how the Negotiations were going, and to bring back the voice of the members.

My hope is that these elections will bring a new life to the Union; one of solidarity, strength, and authenticity.

I have previous experience with negotiations and how important it is that ALL MEMBERS are represented at the bargaining table. I know how important work/life balance is to all of us. I know how a dollar doesn’t go as far as it used to and how we are being squeezed by upper management to “do more with less” while they see huge bonuses. I will make sure that McGill gets the message loud and clear that the reason it’s one of the top ten Universities is the hard work of you and me.

During this time of unrest, budget cuts, layoffs, and uncertainty, I would like to help the members get the support and information they need.

If elected, my goal will be to focus on communication, mobilization and supporting our negotiating team.  And I will be doing that by reaching out to you, to keep you informed and involved.  With your strength, we can make changes needed in this broken system that rewards the rich and gives nothing to the workers. This is our future at McGill. I will stand with you, because together we are stronger.  We will win a Collective Agreement that protects our rights and our life balance, because you and I are the backbone of this university, and we need to show the Employer who really has the power. 

We need a strong negotiations team. Therefore, I have joined with Dino Dutz, Helen Ogundeji, Augusto Cuellar Diaz, Adriana Sgambetterra and Robin Stanford for the Executive. Along with other members just as devoted, Bishara Assaly, Sarah Butler, and Melissa Martella. 

Talk is cheap. It’s time for ACTION.

Robin Stanford – VP Labour Relations

Hello,

I’m Robin Stanford and I’m re-presenting for VP Labour Relations.

Since becoming a Chief Steward in 2022 my focus has been squarely on Supporting ALL members, Protecting your rights, and Negotiating a stronger Collective Agreement.

What good are worker rights if members aren’t supported? 

As VPLR I have been leading regular Steward sessions on the issues you are currently facing in the workplace. I have also set up a new district system to make sure that all members have a team to support them in times of crisis and that no one is left behind. 

I will also continue to advocate for you and represent you in the intentionally confusing and overly complicated processes that the Employer has put in place. 

What good is a Collective Agreement if it is not protected?

When I became VPLR last year, MUNACA had been without a full time VPLR since November 2022 and it shows. I have been working tirelessly on addressing all the issues caused by this void.

I have experienced the Employer’s attempts to do whatever they want by claiming ignorance, trying to circumvent your Union, or simply attempting to bully the executive into doing whatever McGill wants. 

My stance will always be that MUNACA must represent what is best for our members and that the rights outlined in the CA and Labour Code are NOT negotiable!

If re-elected I will finish what I started with fixing how your grievances are treated and continue to fight the Employer’s consistent attacks on your rights. 

Negotiations, Negotiations, Negotiations

I have been on the Negotiations team since day one. I have seen McGill on a warpath to scrape  back rights, invade your privacy, and keep our salaries low while upper management sees ballooning salaries. I will continue to fight for you around the negotiations table.  

This is not just my work but that of a strong executive team composed of Dino Dutz, Helen Ogundeji, Augusto Cuellar Diaz, Adriana Sgambetterra and Debra Yee. 

I also strongly support Bishara Assaly, Sarah Butler, and Melissa Martella. Their work in the fightback committee has been extraordinary.  

For too long has the Union been more interested in appearances and speeches instead of actually doing the hard work needed.

Talk is cheap. It’s time for ACTION.

Sarah Butler – Chair of Communications Committee

For the past three years, I’ve been all in on the Communications Committee—helping craft bulletins, newsletters, and strategies that put members’ voices front and center. I also helped create and coordinate the Fight Back Committee, a grassroots effort resisting McGill’s austerity cuts. Together, we’ve built coalitions, organized a member townhall, launched an open letter, created a petition, and mobilized members to defend jobs and protect rights.

I come to this work with a deep belief in collective power. As someone who’s worked in both Student Services and the Faculty of Arts, I’ve seen firsthand what our members face—and what we can accomplish when we stand together. From spearheading lunchtime meet-ups to organizing cross-campus coalitions, I’m committed to strategies that listen, connect, and mobilize.

Before coming to McGill, I worked for over a decade in the non-profit sector—in communications, organizing, and advocacy roles. I bring that experience into my union work: using effective
communication, active listening, and strategies that move people to action.

If elected Chair of Communications, I’ll lead the charge to revamp our messaging, modernize our website and social media, and roll out stronger feedback tools—so we know what’s working and where we can improve. Most importantly, I want to bring more members into this work, making sure our
communications reflect the strength, solidarity, and diversity of all of us.

I’m passionate about building a transparent, robust, and effective union that truly represents its members. Real change comes when we mobilize grassroots power, listen actively, and stand together to resist the changes we don’t want and fight for the ones we do.

We need a powerhouse negotiations team for the challenges ahead. That’s why I’m proud to stand alongside Dino Dutz, Helen Ogundeji, Augusto Cuellar Diaz, Adriana Sgambetterra, Robin Stanford, and Debra Yee for Executive, along with other dedicated members like Bishara Assaly, and Melissa Martella. I believe we can build a union that’s democratic, action-oriented, and ready to win—and I hope you’ll join us in that fight.

Bishara Assaly – Chair of Solidarity Committee

My name is Bishara, and I have been an active steward in MUNACA for over a year. During this period, I have been a member of both our Communications and Fight Back Committees, developing MUNACA’s communications structure, contributing to our messaging as a union, and organizing our union to fight
back against austerity.

Along with two other MUNACA members, I founded the Fight Back Committee in response to the Employer’s imposed austerity and the threat of job losses to workers on campus. The Committee was founded on the principle that we, as a union, needed to defend workers’ jobs, working conditions, and salaries. We understood that this goal could only be achieved by building up our inter-union solidarity network through rank-and-file union activity on a worker-first basis. Through our work, we managed to
have five unions on campus, representing thousands of workers, sign an open letter condemning the senior administration’s self-enrichment while workers suffered. Our tactics, including surveys, petitions, stickers, team logos, and flyers, have engaged hundreds of MUNACA members to fight for their jobs. We
continue to engage our union membership across campus.

As a member of Labour for Palestine, a pan-Canadian solidarity network for Palestine, I have helped organize many inter-union solidarity events in Montreal and online. Organizing these events with a broad coalition of union militants from different unions has taught me the importance of inter-union solidarity and the type of change it can foster within the union movement and our broader society. This experience has allowed me to meet and build bridges with many union contacts throughout Quebec.

As your Solidarity Chair, I want to help strengthen solidarity within MUNACA and with our sister unions on campus. This will ultimately build a better, stronger union that can fight for your rights and the rights of workers across campus and Quebec. We must remember that solidarity is a two-way street.

Kristi Kouchakji – Chief Steward

Hello,

My name is Kristi Kouchakji and I am presenting for Chief Steward (downtown). I work as a Graduate Program Coordinator in the Ingram School of Nursing.

Since joining MUNACA in 2023, I have been blown away at how it doesn’t seem to work. We read the open letters but do not see what results they produce.

I was at the AGM in 2024 and the town hall in 2025. Although the town hall was miles better than the AGM, there is still a ways to go before we see our Union back on track. Before becoming a staff member, I was a grad student at McGill, and served as a steward with AGSEM from 2020-2022 and in various roles at PGSS from 2020-2023, including two terms as PGSS Secretary-General. In that time, both groups faced an unending cascade of external challenges, which we were able to meet by working collectively under clear, strong governance and procedural guidelines which ensured that members’ best interests were the main priority in all decision making, while holding space for productive discussions and differences of opinion.

If elected as a Chief Steward, I will use my experience to help fix the processes that are stopping MUNACA from running smoothly and truly functioning well. I will make sure that those in Negotiations are well supported to fight for the working conditions we deserve, and that our members’ best interests
guide our decisions, priorities, and allocations of resources.

For that reason I am presenting with Action MUNACA and support Dino Dutz for President and Augusto Diaz for VP Internal. They, along with the rest of the Action MUNACA team, bring the experience, skills, and drive to meet the Employer head on in Negotiations and beyond.

Cait Bishop – Chief Steward

Hello! My name is Cait Bishop, and you might remember me/my name from my recent engagement during town halls about the current McGill Budget/Horizon McGill project, as well as from the 2024 AGM. I am presenting for the role of Chief Steward (Downtown). I work in the Career Development Office of the Faculty of Law, which, I feel very fortunate to say, is in close alignment with one of my core beliefs that our jobs – where people tend to spend the majority of their time and energy each week – should be something that “gives” rather than “takes” from our overall health and happiness.

With that in mind, I am presenting because I feel it is incredibly important that our Union makes significant changes. I have felt that a stronger voice and more substantial actions is needed since the strike in 2021, and after the AGM for 2024 I knew that more was needed and that I had to step up. I am getting actively involved now to help make sure that our Union changes to run smoothly, efficiently, transparently, and that it is strong enough to face the Employer who doesn’t seem to value the hardworking staff at McGill who care so deeply about the students and their work. We deserve more than we have been receiving, and I want my voice to be as loud and strong as my facial expressions are in
meetings. Change is needed now.

If elected, I will be a strong advocate for your voice on the Union Council. I will promote procedural reforms to make sure the Union is held accountable to work for us to bring us the improvements and changes we need and deserve. I will hold the negotiations team to task in working towards a fair Collective Agreement and help support you in your day-to-day roles.

To this end, I strongly support Dino Dutz for President, Augusto Diaz for VP Internal, Adriana Sgambetterra for VP Finance, and the whole Action MUNACA team.

Together, real change is possible! Talk is cheap, it’s time for action.

Melissa Martella – Chief Steward

Dear MUNACA Members,

I am thrilled to put forward my candidacy for Chief Steward/District Head of the Downtown yet again. Over the years, I have refined my skills in communication, project management, and conflict resolution. My experience in mediating challenges and fostering teamwork has prepared me to represent our vibrant and diverse membership effectively. I am deeply committed to actively listening to your concerns and addressing them with care. Collaboration is the cornerstone of effective representation, and I believe that by working together, we can achieve the best results. The principles of fairness, solidarity,
and respect are at the heart of our union’s mission. I am passionate about upholding these values, advocating for workers’ rights, and ensuring that every member is treated equitably. My goal is to represent your interests with integrity and transparency.

Over the past couple of months, I participated in the creation of the Fight Back Committee, building its structure, organizing training, and collaborating with Communications to share updates and gather feedback surrounding budget cuts and layoffs. Our success has come from strong member involvement,
and effective teamwork. Through my involvement in the Grievance Committee, I’ve gained insight into the challenges members face and will stay committed to helping move cases forward. I also participate in the Communications Committee to ensure clear, timely updates. I’m dedicated to continuing this work and pushing for new and updated communications tools. If I am re-elected, I will continue supporting collective action and engagement.

My progress has been driven by your involvement. I’ll continue to fight for fairness, transparency, and more member engagement—because together, we’re stronger.

In solidarity,
Melissa Martella

Anne Bedard – Chief Steward

Hello everyone,

My name is Anne Bedard, and I am a Chief Steward. I have served as a Chief Steward for many years. I have participated in numerous committees, including Health and Safety, the Trust Fund, the Steward Council, C Council, M’s Drive, the Grievances Committee, LRC, the Finance Committee, and Bylaws. Outside Munaca, I am involved with PSAC Provincial and National Women’s Rights. I have assisted in several disciplinary meetings and helped resolve numerous issues directly with the managers. The coming months will pose significant challenges for all Munaca members, and I am prepared to work diligently and fight for what we deserve. In March 2025, I attended the Provincial Women’s Conference PSAC in Charlevoix. At the conference, we discussed:

• Equal rights for women at work
• Feminist resistance
• Sexual and psychological harassment in the workplace:
• Challenging for Black Women in their communities and at work.

I am the one who has the pleasure of serving you at the BBQs.

My experience as a steward has taught me one important thing,

You guys are extraordinary people, and it’s a pleasure for me to help in any way I can.

Isabelle Harvey – Chief Steward

Hello/Bonjour,

I’ve been working in biochemistry at McGill since the early 2000s. Over the years, I have developed a health and safety (H&S) consciousness and it has become my modus vivendi to ensure that friends, workers, colleagues, students and visitors are safe when on campus and all necessary precautions are taken to ensure a safe environment. For many years now, I have been a member of the MUNACA union council and I am proud to represent technicians paid by research funds which cannot necessarily benefit from the same benefits as those paid directly by the University. I am also a member of the MUNACA H&S Committee and represent our members on the University’s H&S Council.

It takes time to change things, but one step at a time, let us work together and we will succeed. We MUNACA members deserve the
best at McGill University.