Collective Bargaining Update – July 22

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July 22, 2009

The University and representatives of CAW Local 555, Unit 1 spent Monday and Tuesday of this week with the provincial conciliator. There have been a number of key developments:

  • The Union has asked the conciliator to issue a No Board Report with a strike date of
    September 1

  • The union informed the University that it is organizing a membership meeting for this Thursday, July 23 and that it intends to ask members for a strike mandate
  • Both sides have agreed to additional bargaining dates on August 19, 20 and 31

    • The University continues to focus on finding a negotiated agreement and has tabled a new monetary offer with the union.

    This offer provides members with:

  • a $1,000 signing bonus for all employees working at least half-time and $500 for employees working less than half-time

  • across-the-board (ATB) compounded pay increases of 5.85% over three years

  • normal step pay increases which range from 2.0 – 4.0% each year

  • no changes to pension benefits

  • no changes to post retirement health benefits (which are 100% funded by the University)

    • More information about the monetary offer is available here.

    There has been considerable discussion about the University's proposals on pensions and post retirement benefits.

    CAW members are part of McMaster's Defined Benefit Pension Plan, which is the same Plan for all University managers, faculty and senior leaders. Under the University offer, there are no changes to union members' benefits and membership in the Plan. Existing contract language which requires union agreement prior to making any changes to the Plan will remain in place. A new retirement plan is proposed for employees hired after June 15, 2009.

    Finding a resolution to the pension issue at the bargaining table has proven difficult. The University has recommended to the union that this issue be sent to third-party arbitration for resolution.