Status on finalizing new collective agreement with MUNACA
On February 17, the University and MUNACA met with the conciliator to discuss pending issues relating to: 1) the positioning of employees who are promoted or demoted now that salary scales will have defined steps starting in June 2012; 2) employees whose salary is higher than the current salary scale maximum for the level of their position. These two issues on which the parties fail to agree are causing delays in signing the new collective agreement.
Item 6 of the conciliator’s report states the following: “The collective agreement will provide that economic increases are paid as a lump sum payment (pensionable) for employees whose salary is over the maximum of the employer’s current salary scale.” Both parties agreed on this and all other items in the report, which was then signed by each party. The union now wants this clause to apply to a limited number of employees. The University disagrees and is waiting for the union’s position.
It is impossible for the University to proceed with retroactive payments of salary increases (dating back to December 2010) until
the collective agreement is signed.
University and AMUSE reach tentative agreement
After close to a year of negotiations, on February 22 the University reached a tentative agreement with the Association of McGill University Support Employees (AMUSE) for a three-year collective agreement. AMUSE members are expected to vote on the agreement at two general assemblies, set for March 15. The University is satisfied that a deal was reached with AMUSE without having to revert to arbitration. This will be the first collective agreement for AMUSE which represents roughly 1,500 casual employees.
First bargaining session with both AMURE unions
In January, both the University and the Association of McGill University Research Employees (AMURE) presented their full set of proposals but agreed to negotiate all monetary clauses later in the process. AMURE has received two accreditations: one representing research associates, the other research assistants. It was suggested that clauses common to both groups be negotiated first. The next bargaining sessions are set for March 14 and 21.
Issues still unresolved in talks with AGSEM invigilators
After several months of negotiations, the parties met twice in January in an effort to resolve outstanding issues. They are awaiting the
conciliator’s decision as to whether they should remain in conciliation or go to arbitration to reach a settlement.
Preparing the bargaining process with AGSEM course lecturers/instructors
The University has started the consultation process by meeting with faculties/departments that hire course lecturers and instructors
in order to finalize its bargaining position. The parties should meet shortly to discuss dates to start the bargaining process.
Preparing the bargaining process with three SEU units
The University has started the consultation process with management in three units to finalize its bargaining position. The units in question are SEU Facilities Management/Faculty Club/Residences and Food & Dining Services, SEU Printing and SEU Computing Centre. The current collective agreement makes it mandatory for the parties to share their proposals by the end of May and to enter a six-month process of mutually based bargaining before the current collective agreement expires on November 30, 2012.