McMaster continues bargaining with CUPE 3906, Unit 1 with a goal of renewing a collective agreement. The union represents approximately 2,900 part-time Teaching Assistants at the university.

Both parties have been meeting since the spring. Yesterday, they were joined by a provincially appointed conciliator. At the end of those talks,  the university and union together applied for a no board report, which is the next step in the bargaining process when both parties have reached an impasse. A meeting with a provincial mediator has been scheduled  for November 19.

Teaching Assistants provide part-time support in classrooms, lecture halls and study groups. There are two wage rates based on whether the TA holds an undergraduate degree. More than three-quarters of McMaster Teaching Assistants earn $43.63 per hour, while the rest earn $25.30 per hour. McMaster also funds benefits programs and paid training for Teaching Assistants.

While each set of negotiations involves issues unique to the specific employee group, McMaster negotiates with all employee groups based on a set of core principles including bargaining in good faith and committing to long-term, collaborative relationships with union partners.