University offering a 1.2 per cent increase, union demanding three per cent
McGill University’s 1,700 non-academic employees are on strike as of Sept. 1, 2011 after their union and the Montréal institution were unable to reach a collective agreement.
“Unlike other university workers in Quebec, there are no protections for our pensions and benefits at McGill,” says McGill University Non-Academic Certified Association (MUNACA) president Kevin Whittaker. “The time has come for the university to recognize our hard work and our contribution to the quality of life students enjoy."
MUNACA says it is seeking similar working wages and conditions to colleagues in neighbouring Quebec universities, like the Université de Montréal and the Université du Québec à Montréal. This includes maintaining their pension, benefits and scheduling rights.
MUNACA is demanding a three per cent wage increase. Currently, McGill’s proposal is an offer of a 1.2 per cent wage increase.
The union also says that its members do not have a “proper wage scale” as they must wait over 35 years to reach the regular salary for their position.
The workers provide services such as student affairs, course registration, laboratory support, and student residence management.
Negotiations for a new contract began in December 2010.
The university has not commented.
MUNACA members are represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada.
