Collective bargaining at McMaster
The University's bargaining team will begin collective bargaining with CAW local 555 at the end of this week. CAW represents about 2200 support and technical staff at McMaster. Formal proposals will be exchanged Friday morning.
“It's the beginning of the normal process and is well in advance of the end of the current collective agreement which ends June 15,” said John Capone, chair of the University's bargaining committee and dean of Science. “Members of CAW perform important jobs at the University and we will be working to reach a fair agreement that recognizes these contributions and also helps to put McMaster in the strongest possible long-term position.”
The University is currently negotiating a first collective agreement with CUPE, which was certified in May of 2008 to represent post doctoral fellows. The two sides have met 16 times since October and while agreement has been reached on several issues a number of outstanding issues remain.
Post doctoral fellows (PDFs) are members of the research community who have completed their PhDs and are preparing for academic and research careers. McMaster is well-respected around the world for its research excellence and many PDFs come to McMaster on short-term PDF contracts because of the groundbreaking research that is undertaken by faculty and to broaden their own experience as members of these world-renowned research teams.
Two additional bargaining dates have been scheduled for negotiations to continue working towards a final collective agreement.
Teaching assistants at McMaster who are represented by CUPE 3906 will also soon begin negotiations to renew their current collective agreement. “Being a TA is a great opportunity for both graduate and many undergraduate students,” said provost, Ilene Busch-Vishniac. “They provide support to students and faculty and are valuable members of the McMaster community.” CUPE also represents sessional lecturers at the University. Their current contract continues until the spring of 2010.
