Talks progressing well with AMURE
Talks with both bargaining units within AMURE (Association of McGill University Research Employees, affiliated with Public Service Alliance of Canada) are progressing well with the majority of non-monetary clauses common to research associates and research assistants settled, and a certain number of clauses specific to a single bargaining unit were also resolved. Since October, negotiations have occurred in the presence of a government-appointed conciliator. The parties are now sharing information to be ready to start discussing monetary clauses. The parties have agreed on shared communications throughout the bargaining process.
Negotiations with AGSEM invigilators halted
Invigilators represented by AGSEM (Association of Graduate Students Employed at McGill, affiliated with Confédération des syndicats nationaux) and the university are in dispute since September about who is included in the bargaining unit. The union insists on representing office assistants and has filed a motion with the Quebec Labour Board. The university maintains that the union was accredited to represent invigilators only and that office assistants are part of the AMUSE/PSAC (Association of McGill University Support Employees) bargaining unit.
Negotiations with AGSEM course lecturers/instructors under way
Discussions started in June and talks resumed in September. The parties are still discussing non-monetary clauses and resolving issues on a regular basis in this very complex negotiation.
Talks under way with three SEU bargaining units
The computing centre, printing services and facilities management/residences/Faculty Club – three of the six bargaining units represented by SEU* are now under way, after preparatory sessions in the fall. Union and university representatives together attended training sessions on interest-based bargaining, a university first. Both parties have presented their proposals for review before the bargaining begins.
*The three bargaining units in question are represented by the Service Employees Union, local section 800, affiliated with the Quebec Labour Federation.