Association of Graduate Students Employed at McGill
AGSEM invigilators and McGill have been meeting in conciliation since April. This summer, the Union brought in a new spokesperson from the Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN) to which AGSEM is affiliated. More recently, the Labour Commission had to replace its conciliator while the University’s Labour Relations group lost one of its HR advisors and lead negotiator in this file. All these changes have caused some minor delays in the bargaining timeframe, but now the process is back on track and moving forward. The union is negotiating its first collective agreement.
AGSEM teaching assistants met with McGill three times in September, first for an overview of issues to be discussed and agreements reached to date. At subsequent meetings, the parties presented and discussed proposals and counter-proposals concerning non-monetary items. The parties also met three times in October to discuss hours of work, training and workload. Both management and the union have made some concessions on several items so as to move more quickly in negotiating core issues such as salaries and guaranteed number of teaching assistantships.
Association of McGill University Support Employees
Talks with AMUSE have moved at a steady pace and the parties have come to an agreement on most of the issues discussed so far. Among the provisions upon which the parties reached an agreement are union activities, management rights, grievance resolution procedures, arbitration, disciplinary measures, health and safety, and employee files. The parties are now discussing job postings and employee selection. AMUSE is negotiating its first collective agreement.
Association of McGill University Research Employees
The Association of McGill University Research Employees (AMURE) is getting ready to negotiate its first collective agreement with the University. Last year, AMURE filed two requests for certification which were granted by the Labour Relations Commission: one to represent research associates (July) and another to represent research assistants (December). Consultation meetings were held across campus with multiple faculties, and discussions have taken place with the University’s Vice-Principal (Research and International Relations) on the guidelines to be established. Negotiations should start sometime in December, when both parties will present their full set of proposals in view of signing their first collective agreement.
McGill University Non-Academic Certified Association
The bargaining process between MUNACA and the University started in December 2010 with 152 issues on the table. On August 26, the Union provided the University with a strike notice. On September 1st, the Union announced that its members were on strike. Also on September 1st the Union asked for a government-appointed conciliator. Bargaining in conciliation started with both parties agreeing to discuss all unresolved non-monetary issues grouped in 12 different categories. Since October 26, negotiations have moved into a more intensive phase with the parties discussing core issues. Both parties have agreed not to disclose the content of what is being discussed at this time.
For regular labour updates, visit the HR website at www.mcgill.ca/hr/