Your bargaining team would like to provide some updates on the bargaining process for the next collective agreement for Sessional Faculty at McMaster in order to ensure that everyone is on the same page in terms of where things currently stand.

Firstly, it is important to remind the membership that a strike has not been called. Please consult this graphic for reference. A strike can only be called after a “No-Board” report is filed by the union or the employer, after which a 17-day countdown begins before a legal strike or lockout can begin. In the meantime, we are making preparations for a strike by signing members up for picketing duties so that we are in a good position to strike when the call goes out.

The best thing to do in the meantime is to sign up for picketing duties so that the Strike Committee knows how much strength we have going into a potential strike, giving us much more power at the bargaining table. The more members we have signed up to withdraw their labour and be on the picket lines during a strike, the more power we have going into bargaining, giving us a better chance of securing a strong offer from the employer and averting a strike in the first place. Please sign up for picketing duties here:

https://forms.gle/nRKaffAWNA4s8Tdf9

You might also want to check out this this Digtial Sessional Faculty Strike FAQ pamphlet and review this graphic which lays out the bargaining and strike process. For reference, we are currently in the conciliation phase.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to president@cupe3906.org and be sure to keep an eye on bettermac.ca for bargaining updates.