Daily News

posted on April 9: University to request proposal vote

The University has started the process with the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) to hold a supervised vote on the University's final offer. This means that, if the OLRB approves the request, all members of the McMaster University Staff Association (MUSA) will have the opportunity to vote on the University's final offer that was tabled on Thursday, April 5. "The University has chosen to ask for the vote because we believe that all staff members should participate in a decision about whether to accept or reject the offer," said Karen Belaire, vice-president administration. "The University is also concerned about the length of time that a Compulsory Arbitration Board might require before resolution. We believe that the staff are entitled to as rapid a resolution as possible and one they control." MUSA has requested a Compulsory Arbitration Board (CAB) from the OLRB. A decision as to whether a CAB would take place would be handed down within 15 days. If a CAB is granted, there is a risk that the process could run for a lengthy period of time. Without a resolution, no part of the University's final offer could be implemented in that period, including those articles that both parties have already signed off on. Should the OLRB agree to the University's request for a supervised vote, it could take place as early as April 23. The MUSA negotiating team advised its members in an e-mail today to return to work on Monday, April 9. "We're pleased that MUSA has directed its workers to come back and we look forward to their return to work on Monday," says Belaire. (END OF STORY)

posted on April 3: University and MUSA going back to the table tomorrow

McMaster University and the McMaster University Staff Association (MUSA) were both advised last Thursday by the mediator that a break would be of assistance to both sides in the negotiations. Prior to the break, the University and MUSA had signed off on 10 articles, the University was waiting for MUSA to deliver their response on 10 articles and the remaining articles had not been discussed in the latest round of negotiations. "MUSA has informed the mediator that they want to return to the table," said Alan Harrison, chair of the University's bargaining team. "MUSA has asked the University for additional articles and we will deliver those tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon. We are also hopeful that this call to the table from MUSA means that the union's bargaining team will return with their response to our material." The University and MUSA have both been in contact with the mediator and will resume bargaining on Wednesday with the mediator present.

posted on April 3: Provost is heading West to lead the University of Calgary

McMaster's provost is heading West this summer to lead the University of Calgary. Harvey Weingarten's appointment as president of the Alberta institution was announced today in Calgary by the U of C board of governors. Weingarten takes up his official duties on Sept. 1. He is the university's seventh president. The news was conveyed to the McMaster community in an e-mail late this afternoon from University President Peter George. "This is a tremendous opportunity for Harvey, a wonderful choice by the University of Calgary and a loss for all of us at McMaster," said George, remarking that the University has benefited enormously from Weingarten's leadership, his scholarship and his deep commitment to post-secondary education. "I am delighted that he will be the next president at the University of Calgary and I look forward to working with him on many of the issues and challenges that are common to all universities in this country."