Daily News

posted on March 12: University and MUSA to appear before Ontario Labour Relations Board

A number of complaints from both McMaster and the University Staff Association (MUSA) will be heard at a pre-hearing at the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) on Wednesday, March 14. "The University had proposed late last week that it was willing to fully withdraw its complaints if MUSA would do the same," says Mark Haley, assistant vice-president of human resources and a member of the University's bargaining team. "Withdrawing the complaints would let us focus on the negotiations to reach a collective agreement. We believe it's more important to concentrate on the negotiations." MUSA informed the University it was not willing to withdraw its complaints. In a communication to its members MUSA states, "MUSA has rejected this proposal as the Board may rule on issues that will have a significant impact on the contract talks and the relationship between the Association and McMaster. MUSA has been waiting since last July to get a hearing date. We see no benefit in not proceeding at this time." According to Haley, "The decision to go ahead to the OLRB means two lost negotiation days. We need to spend Tuesday preparing for the hearing. On Wednesday members of the University's negotiating team will be at the OLRB. We can't be in two places at once." The University hopes to return to the bargaining table on Thursday. The University will also be in a Hamilton court on Wednesday pursuing an injunction to limit picketing on campus. (END OF STORY)

posted on March 10: Four people hurt on picket line

Hamilton police have laid charges after a truck hit four people at the Cootes Drive entrance to McMaster on Friday. According to police, the truck driver went through the picket line, struck three people who were picketing, then struck a University security officer who tried to stop the vehilce. Fortunately all of the injuries were minor. A Hamilton man has been charged with dangerous driving and three counts of failing to remain at the scene of an accident. The University will be in court on Wednesday in an attempt to limit picketing on campus. The injunction request is partly based on public safety issues, including concern for the safety of MUSA members who are on the picket line. (END OF STORY)

posted on March 9:University files court injunction to limit picketing

Editor's note: This story was originally posted with the court injunction date of Monday, March 12. The court date has been rescheduled to Wednesday, March 14. McMaster will be in court on Wednesday, March 14 in an attempt to limit picketing on campus. "MUSA picketers have obstructed students, faculty and others who are trying to get to campus," says Karen Belaire, vice-president, administration. "Picketing is a normal part of any strike, but the delays people are experiencing getting onto campus are excessive. Our students are being particularly inconvenienced." Since picketing began a week ago drivers have been forced to wait up to three hours to get on campus. Belaire says the University's injunction request is also based on public safety issues. "There have been incidents on the picket line that have caused us concern. Frustration with the long and irregular waiting times is building. The University will act to make sure the situation on the picket line improves." The injunction request is expected to be heard in court on Wednesday morning.

posted on March 9: Wage increases – fact and fiction

The average wage increase for MUSA members between 1991 and 1999 was 18.2%. The figures provided by the University's Human Resources department contradict the union's claim that wages haven't risen since 1992. "It's disturbing that MUSA continues to say that wages have not increased," says Dave Tucker, a member of the University's bargaining team. The claim appears in the union's own information material and in numerous media reports. Tucker says, "MUSA members should consider their own experience. I'm sure that the majority of members would say that their paycheques have gone up over those years, and in many cases have gone up by quite a bit." According to Statistics Canada and Ontario government figures, the average wage settlement increase in the public sector between 1993 and 1999 totaled 4.5%. McMaster's average wage increase included increases received through promotions, transfers, job re-evaluations and pay equity changes. The administrative rules on payroll haven't changed since 1992, but that does not mean people's paycheques have not risen. "We firmly believe that MUSA members deserve a fair pay increase," says Tucker. "That's why we made an initial wage offer of 10% over four years. It's important to correct the facts around the history of wages at McMaster so that the offer is seen in its proper context." The University and the union were at the negotiating table again on Thursday (March 8) and will continue negotiations on Friday, March 9.

More than 95 per cent of classes are continuing at McMaster

As the strike by support staff continues, students are wondering about the status of their classes. "The University has committed itself to doing everything possible to preserve a stable and supportive environment for students during this job action," says Mary Keyes, associate vice-president student affairs. "While each student must choose how to best handle these situations, it is strongly recommended that classes and term tests not be missed. Students should make whatever alternate arrangements possible to attend their classes." "Fewer than 50 of the more than 2,000 undergraduate lectures and labs scheduled for this term have been cancelled this week," says Fred Hall, associate vice-president academic. Bryce Rudyk, vice-president education for the McMaster Students Union, says the organization is hearing very little from students right now about the academic implications of the strike. He expects this will change if the strike continues and as students get closer to final exams. "But if you want to talk about parking we're hearing lots about that(issue)."