The University and the McMaster University Staff Association concluded five days of scheduled talks on Thursday evening (March 29). The mediator indicated to both sides that they should take time away from the table to assess their positions.

The University's bargaining team believes the mediator's advice is important and it will now take time to review its proposals.

Modest progress was made during the last set of negotiations. The two sides have now signed off on 10 articles of the contract and the University is waiting for MUSA's response to another 10 articles. There are currently 33 articles within the contract.