McMaster University and CUPE have reached an agreement with respect to Teaching Assistants residing outside of Ontario and other employees normally represented by the CUPE 3906, Unit 1 collective agreement with McMaster.
The Collective Agreement recognizes CUPE as the sole and exclusive bargaining agent for all part-time employees, including professional engineers, in Ontario, employed as teaching assistants, demonstrators, tutors and super tutors, markers, and research assistants who receive a research assistantship in lieu of a teaching assistantship, save and except those persons employed in a managerial capacity or in a confidential capacity with regard to labour relations.
In September 2020 CUPE filed a policy grievance alleging that the University violated the Collective Agreement by refusing to recognize Teaching Assistants and Research Assistants (in lieu of Teaching Assistants) working outside the Province of Ontario as the Union’s bargaining unit members.
Beginning in the Spring/Summer 2021 terms, employees who have received approval to work remotely in Canada but outside of Ontario as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic will be recognized as members of CUPE 3906 Unit 1, and will be subject to the Unit 1 collective agreement.
This agreement recognizes the special circumstances and the prolonged nature of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also reflects the University’s ongoing Return to Campus planning and the potential to increase on-campus classes and student experiences in the Fall, depending on public health requirements. This agreement will be in place until April 30, 2022, at which time the parties are hopeful that any remaining pandemic related circumstances will be significantly reduced and mostly behind us.
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