CUPE rejects university offer

After almost 24 hours of straight negotiations CUPE 3906, Unit 1 rejected the University's latest contract offer for TAs and RAs. The union also rejected the University's request to take the offer to the union membership for a vote.

“It's disappointing,” said Peter Smith associate vice-president Academic and chair of the University's bargaining committee. “We tabled our best offer and we believe the combination of wage increases and improvements to benefits provide TAs and RAs with a fair and equitable contract. We don't understand why the union refused to take the package to its membership for a vote.”

The University's best offer included:

Increased pay rates for graduate TAs and RAs to $39.40/hr over the two year term of the contract

Increased pay rates for undergraduate TAs to $22.15

Increased university contribution to the dental plan that will save all members $3.00 per month

Maintenance of the University's $150,000 contribution to the union-administered benefit fund

Protection from working past the end of term and job guarantee provisions

After rejecting the offer the union informed the University that a strike will be called and that picket lines will be up at the University Monday morning.

Smith says, “Calling a strike is a significant step and to do so without at least letting TAs and RAs vote doesn't seem fair to either the bargaining unit members or the students who will be most impacted by a strike. It's not too late for CUPE to reconsider its decision and to call a vote before any picket lines are in place.”

While the University has been focused at reaching a renewal collective agreement through bargaining, the Business Continuity Group has been making plans in case a deal couldn't be reached.

“We need to make sure that the University is prepared for any contingency,” says Continuity Group co-chair and vice-president Administration Roger Couldrey. “The University will stay open and classes will continue although some schedules could be changed and many tutorials and labs will be impacted.”

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<p>After almost 24 hours of straight negotiations CUPE 3906, Unit 1 rejected the University&#039;s latest contract offer for TAs and RAs.   The union also rejected the University&#039;s request to take the offer to the union membership for a vote.<br />
<br />
<p>"It&#039;s disappointing," said Peter Smith associate vice-president Academic and chair of the University&#039;s bargaining committee.  "We tabled our best offer and we believe the combination of wage increases and improvements to benefits provide TAs and RAs with a fair and equitable contract.  We don&#039;t understand why the union refused to take the package to its membership for a vote."<br />
<br />
<p>The University&#039;s best offer included:<br />
<br />
<p><li>Increased pay rates for graduate TAs and RAs to $39.40/hr over the two year term of the contract<br />
<p><li>Increased pay rates for undergraduate TAs to $22.15<br />
<p><li>Increased university contribution to the dental plan that will save all members $3.00 per month<br />
<p><li>Maintenance of the University&#039;s $150,000 contribution to the union-administered benefit fund<br />
<p><li>Protection from working past the end of term and job guarantee provisions<br />
<br />
<p>After rejecting the offer the union informed the University that a strike will be called and that picket lines will be up at the University Monday morning.  <br />
<br />
<p>Smith says, "Calling a strike is a significant step and to do so without at least letting TAs and RAs vote doesn&#039;t seem fair to either the bargaining unit members or the students who will be most impacted by a strike.  It&#039;s not too late for CUPE to reconsider its decision and to call a vote before any picket lines are in place."<br />
<br />
<p>While the University has been focused at reaching a renewal collective agreement through bargaining, the Business Continuity Group has been making plans in case a deal couldn&#039;t be reached.<br />
<br />
<p>"We need to make sure that the University is prepared for any contingency," says Continuity Group co-chair and vice-president Administration Roger Couldrey.   "The University will stay open and classes will continue although some schedules could be changed and many tutorials and labs will be impacted."<br />
<br />
To receive updates, continue to visit dailynews.mcmaster.ca or subscribe to the Twitter feed at <a href="http://twitter.com/McMasterUpdates">McMaster Twitter Updates</a><br />
<br />
<br />

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