Daily News

posted on March 1: MUSA strike vote results

Members of McMaster's University Staff Association have voted in favour of a strike to back their bargaining team in its negotiations with the University. The results, which were made available last night (Feb. 28), indicated that almost 71% of those who cast ballots voted yes, 29% voted no. A total of 1,387 MUSA members voted. Total MUSA membership is 1,650 which means 59.5% of its members voted in favour of strike action. The University and MUSA returned to the bargaining table late last night. Discussions continued through the early morning. University bargaining team member Dave Tucker says, "We will be at the table whenever MUSA wants to talk and we will stay at the table until we have a deal or until the union walks away again." The University team is committed to achieving a first collective agreement. In a letter sent to MUSA president Barry Diacon, Mark Haley, assistant vice-president human resources and a member of the University's bargaining team, says the University "would work very hard with MUSA to attempt to resolve all of the outstanding issues in dispute in an effort to reach a collective agreement and avoid a strike." The letter also outlines the University's position with respect to the provision of salaries, benefits, etc., in the event of a strike. A second letter to Diacon spells out the University's commitment to the health and safety of all University employees and visitors. To view the two letters, click here. In an open letter to students, to be published in Thursday's Silhouette, University President Peter George asks for students' patience, good judgment and goodwill in the event of a strike. He also says that everyone at McMaster will work to ensure that the students' academic year is not put at risk. "We all recognize the importance of your education and the need to complete your year as scheduled and will do everything in our power to achieve this goal." To view the open letter, click here. See also: MUSA answers members' questions about strike vote (END OF STORY)