Unit 1 members voted 89% in favour of ratifying the tentative agreement. The agreement includes the addition of 5 paid hours of pedagogical and anti-oppression for all members, which was a key priority throughout the bargaining process. The agreement also secures the new inclusions of paid pregnancy leave, paid family medical leave, a fund dedicated to supporting members seeking gender affirmation, stronger supports for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, and (pending recommendation from the Indigenous Education Council) hiring preferences for members of Indigenous communities in the department of Indigenous Studies. An overview of the agreement can be found by clicking here.
The bargaining team would like to emphasize that the gains made at the table (and the removal of all concessions) was made possible by the unprecedented support from Unit 1 members and the broader McMaster, Hamilton, and Labour communities. CUPE 3906 would like to extend its sincere gratitude for all who showed their support, and looks forward to the next round of bargaining for Unit 1, which we expect will prove even more successful.
The final step in the process is for McMaster’s Board of Governors to ratify the agreement at their next meeting on December 12th, at which point the agreement will be fully ratified.