The Sil » Blog Archive » CUPE calls for TA strike beginning Monday

CUPE calls for TA strike beginning Monday

Saturday, October 31st 2009

CUPE has informed all members of the Local 3906, Unit 1 bargaining unit that they are going on strike. Picket lines will be formed the upcoming morning of Monday, Nov. 2.

The decision was made after the union rejected the University’s best offer on Saturday morning, concluding a marathon bargaining session that started Thurs. Oct. 29. In addition, it was reported that the union rejected the university’s offer to present the recent offer to the union membership for a vote.

As reported by the Daily News, the University’s best offer included increased pay rates for graduate TAs and RAs to $39.40 over the two year contract, increased pay rates for undergraduate TAs to $22.75, increased university contribution to the dental plan which will save the union members $3.00 a month, maintenance of the University’s $150,000 contribution to the benefit fund and protection from working past the end of the job term and job guarantee provisions.

Sponsor

Prior to the three days of negotiations, members of the CUPE 3906 bargaining team Derek Sahota and Rebecca Strung explained that pressing issues that they felt needed to be addressed and changed were overstaffed tutorials, overworked TAs and RAs and the decreasing take home pay due to the rising tuition which was not being compensated by a comparable increase in wages and benefits.

It has been reported that HSR buses will now be stopping at the corner of Forysth Avenue and Sterling Street, Coach Canada and GO Transit buses will be using the HSR stop at Main Street West and Bowman Street.

The union’s main picket lines will be at the Sterling Gates, an information picket on Main Street, and the gates of Cootes Drive. Therefore, car drivers, pedestrians and bike riders are expected to experience delays in crossing picket lines. McMaster Security Services will be monitoring picket line activity and may be contacted if individuals feel threatened or harassed.

Updates are being sent to students’ McMaster.ca e-mails.