Dear members of the McMaster community,

McMaster and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU Local 2) have been bargaining since September 20 to reach a new collective agreement. While about half of the contract has been settled, the remaining monetary issues are very challenging.

Employees who belong to SEIU are important members of the University community and provide key services. SEIU Local 2 represents skilled trades, maintenance and operations, custodial and cleaning staff at McMaster. The union's current contract expires on September 30. While we remain focused on negotiating a contract, a No Board Report has been issued setting this Friday, October 1 as the earliest date for a legal strike. The University expects the union to provide advance notice of a strike.

In many circumstances we would have provided information to our campus community earlier in the process, but the particularly difficult nature of these negotiations meant earlier communications would not be helpful to the bargaining process.

Negotiations are continuing Thursday with the assistance of the provincial mediator. While we hope a deal will be reached, it is possible that the union will decide to begin a strike and establish picket lines. Picketing activity will cause delays getting onto campus and we ask that everyone be patient and respectful during any picketing activity.