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posted on March 15: Spring Open House rescheduled

The March 17 Spring Open House for prospective students has been rescheduled to Saturday, May 12. Campus tours during the March break have also been cancelled due to the labour dispute. (END OF STORY)

posted on March 15: McMaster Dancers triumph in U.S. competition

McMaster's dance company received high praise from judges this month for creativity and originality after participating in the American College Dance Festival. The festival was . . .

posted on March 15: McMaster’s research enterprise feeling effects of MUSA strike

McMaster's research enterprise is feeling the effects of the current MUSA strike, says vice-president of research & international affairs, Gerhard Gerber. Individual faculty members are awarded research grants or contracts from external sources based on the performance and productivity of their research group. These grants require periodic application for renewal typically every three to four years so at any given time, about one-third of the grants face an imminent application deadline. The money awarded through these grants, often referred to as "soft money," is then used to conduct the research, which includes paying the salaries of graduate students, research technicians and administrative staff. Approximately one-third of the MUSA members are paid through soft money. These funds are administered by the University on behalf of the researcher. Gerber is concerned that, in addition to the immediate impact, there will be greater long term effects since grants are not renewed automatically but are assessed on a competitive basis. Some researchers have expressed concern that disruptions in their current research schedules will affect their ability to compete successfully in subsequent rounds.

posted on March 14:University, MUSA teams reach agreement on picket line protocol

The University and MUSA bargaining teams reached an agreement around a picket line protocol before a motion for an injunction to limit picketing was heard in court this morning. As a result, the University has withdrawn its motion for the injunction. Under the agreement: * there will be no more than a total five-minute wait** for any vehicle getting onto campus (If a lineup of vehicles goes beyond the safety points established by police then all waiting vehicles will be allowed to enter campus at one time. For example, at the Cootes Drive entrance police will not permit traffic to overflow onto Main St.) * exceptions to the above will be made for emergency, security and medical supply vehicles, which will continue to have unimpeded access through Main Street entrance. * residence students, if they have an ID card, and it is practicable to do so, will be allowed through immediatiely. The agreement takes effect at 5 p.m. today, giving MUSA time to notify its members. The agreement is binding on everyone who is on the picket line, whether MUSA members or other supporters. The University will be monitoring very closely to ensure the agreement is enforced. It reserves the right to return to court for an injunction if the agreement is breached. The University and MUSA also appeared today at the Ontario Labour Relations Board. The pre-hearing dealt with complaints filed by both organizations. The Board decided it would not deal with the issues at this time, although either party could make a request for a hearing date. The University indicated it would not request a date. ** The first vehicle shall be released upon reaching the five minute maximum informational delay. When the first vehicle is released, the picket line shall remain open such that all vehicles which are in the line of vehicles at the time the line is opened shall proceed through immediately with unobstructed entry into the University campus, with no further communications between picketers and the persons in vehicles and no further information delay. (END OF STORY)

posted on March 14: MUSA members to get strike pay

In a press release posted on MUSA's Web site on Tuesday, March 13, the MUSA negotiating team advises that its representatives council today approved paying strike benefits to its picketers and other volunteers. A sub-committee is working on final details, expected Thursday, the team states. According to the release, the union can make these payments because of about $1 million in donations and lines of credit from a variety of national and local unions. "We are very grateful for this support," said MUSA president Barry Diacon in the release. "Our members deserve strike pay and we hope to be able to sort it out soon." The Hamilton Spectator reported in today's issue (March 13) that Ontario Public Service Employees Union president Leah Casselman visited MUSA's picket lines yesterday and brought with her a cheque for $500,000. Diacon told the Spectator that "OPSEU's interest-free loan, combined with a $50,000 line of credit from CUPE and cash from other unions, means MUSA can now afford strike pay." (Editor's note: We are unable to provide a link to the newspaper article since it is not available online.) (END OF STORY)

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posted on March 15: Spring Open House rescheduled

posted on March 15: McMaster Dancers triumph in U.S. competition

posted on March 15: McMaster’s research enterprise feeling effects of MUSA strike

posted on March 14:University, MUSA teams reach agreement on picket line protocol

posted on March 14: MUSA members to get strike pay

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