Daily News

posted on Feb. 15:University and MUSA to resume negotiations

The University has received a 'No Board' report from the Ministry of Labour which means that MUSA (McMaster University Staff Association) is in a legal position to strike 17 days after the issuing of the report, provided that a strike vote is held with its membership. This means that at 12:01 a.m. on Feb. 27, MUSA may legally call for strike action, provided a strike vote has been taken with its membership and the result of that vote authorizes the union to call a strike. "MUSA and the University have agreed to return to the table," said Mark Haley, assistant vice-president, human resources and a member of the University's negotiating team. "We have tentatively agreed that the sub-committee discussing the classification system will resume its work on Monday and both bargaining teams will return to the table on Wednesday, Feb. 21 in the afternoon. The University has committed to remaining at the table around the clock and working hard to achieve an agreement. The union and the University have also asked that a mediator join us at the table. We believe that this assistance will be beneficial."

posted on Feb. 15: Sandra Birdsell relishes her role of writer-in-residence

For a writer, life on campus means combining the best of two worlds. There are plenty of periods for quiet reflection, time for writing, space to think. There's also the opportunity to meet new and interesting people, discover new writing, teach and work as an editor giving feedback and helping others shape their work. Sandra Birdsell, this term's writer-in-residence for the Faculty of Humanities, says the role of the writer-in-residence provides the perfect mix. "Writing is such a quiet thing. We often work in track suits and nightgowns. It's a good balance to the kind of nature of our work which is so isolating. I find people very stimulating and there is a lot of material among people." Photo credit: Don Hall (1997) (Photo from Writers Union of Canada Web site)