Collective Bargaining Update – University tables monetary offer to Teaching Assistants

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August 5, 2009

On August 4, 2009 the University tabled its monetary offer as it continues negotiations with CUPE local 3906, Unit 1 that represents McMaster's Teaching Assistants; this group includes Research Assistants who receive a research assistantship in lieu of a teaching assistantship. Teaching Assistants are part-time employees who normally work an average of 10 hours per week for a maximum of 260 hours in an academic year.

The University's three-year offer:

  • provides a 4.46% total compounded wage increase

  • raises graduate teaching and research assistants' wages to $39.50/hour from $38.00/hour by the end of the contract

  • raises undergraduate teaching assistants' wages to $22.70/hour from $20.75/hour by the end of the contract

  • maintains the level of existing University contributions toward union-administered benefits

    • To view the complete Schedule of Wages tabled by the University visit:
    Proposed Wage Schedule

    The current collective agreement expires August 31. Further negotiating sessions are scheduled for August 6 and 11 and September 1 and 3.On July 28th, the University provided the union with its key negotiating principles:

    1. The University values its Teaching Assistants and the work they perform in support of teaching.

    2. The University will engage in respectful dialogue that is framed by the established Scope, Purpose and Recognition articles of the Collective Agreement.

    3. The University will bargain in good faith, while recognizing the different and distinct roles and responsibilities of the University, its students, and its part-time employees who are represented by the designated bargaining agent.

    4. The University seeks a fair and equitable agreement that balances the importance of Teaching Assistants with McMaster's core mission to provide the best learning experience for all students.