University, CUPE continue bargaining

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October 30, 2009

Posted Oct. 30 at 11:00 a.m. – The University and CUPE Local 3906, Unit 1 met into the early hours of this morning in an effort to reach a renewed collective agreement. Both parties will continue bargaining later today.

CUPE Local 3906, Unit 1, represents Teaching Assistants and some Research Assistants. The union will be in a legal position to strike at 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 31.

The University believes a deal is within reach and is focused on reaching an agreement before the strike deadline.

For more information, continue to check the Daily News, the Labour Relations website, the Parents and Students information pages or subscribe to updates via Twitter.

Posted on Oct. 29 at 10:15 p.m. – McMaster and CUPE Local 3906, Unit 1 are continuing negotiations tonight towards a renewed collective agreement. The union represents Teaching Assistants and some Research Assistants and will be in a legal strike position at 12:01 a.m on Oct. 31.

Both sides are being assisted by a provincial conciliator. Talks resumed today at noon and have continued through the day and into this evening.

The University believes a deal is within reach and is focused on reaching an agreement before the strike deadline.

Posted on October 28 – McMaster and CUPE Local 3906, Unit 1 will continue negotiations on a renewed collective agreement this Thursday and Friday. The union represents Teaching Assistants and Research Assistants (holding a Research Assistantship in lieu of a Teaching Assistantship).

These will be the fifth and sixth days of talks organized by the provincial conciliator. The University and union jointly requested the assistance of the conciliator in August. The parties have been negotiating since June and have agreement on a majority of contract language.

“At every one of the meetings scheduled by the conciliator, McMaster's focus has been on reaching a fair and sustainable agreement,” says Peter Smith, associate vice-president academic and chair of the University bargaining committee. “We've made considerable progress and believe a deal is within reach. We're eager to continue our discussions to finalize an agreement.”

The union will be in a legal strike position beginning 12:01 a.m. on October 31. McMaster will not lock out TAs and RAs. Classes will continue as scheduled should the union call a strike.

Highlights of the University's offer:

  • A pay increase of $1.30 per hour for all TAs and RAs (graduate TAs and RAs to $39.30/hour and undergraduate TAs to $22.05/hour)
  • McMaster will contribute $150,000 a year towards the union-administered benefits plan, an increase of 50% since 2005
  • The University will continue to pay two-thirds of the cost of the monthly dental plan
  • TAs and RAs will be protected from working past the end of the academic term
  • Improvements to how hours of work are assigned
  • Job guarantee and flexibility provisions will be improved

    More information about McMaster's offer including the complete text of the proposal can be found here.

    Web pages for students and parents have been created to provide updated information to the community.

    You can also subscribe to updates via Twitter.