平特五不中 and AGSEM reach a settlement on the new collective agreement
Montreal, July 23, 2008 鈥� Following nine months of tough negotiations, the representatives of 平特五不中 and the Association of Graduate Students Employed at 平特五不中 (AGSEM) reached a settlement, which resulted in the signing of a new collective agreement today.
The new agreement, which is effective today, has a four-year term. The following are the key elements agreed upon:
- With regard to wages, the agreement provides for an increase of 2%, 3%, 3% and 3.5% respectively for each of the four years. At the expiry of the collective agreement, wages will have risen by 11.5%.
- The agreement also provides for a new workload form that will enable professors and teaching assistants to agree on the optimal division of work assignments based on academic needs.
- With regard to the third key issue 鈥� discussion groups 鈥� it was agreed that all matters regarding the size of groups should be submitted to the professor. The professor, who is entirely responsible for the courses, will make the final decision based on the best interests of the pedagogy.
The two parties both expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the negotiations. Normand Thibault, the F茅d茅ration nationale des enseignantes et enseignants du Qu茅bec (FNEEQ) union advisor, stated: 鈥淲e have represented the interests of the University鈥檚 student-employees. The negotiation process was long and difficult, sometimes stormy. We鈥檙e pleased with the new collective agreement. We hope the next agreement will be negotiated under easier circumstances.鈥�
Robert Comeau, Director, Employee Relations and the University鈥檚 designated negotiator, is also satisfied with the agreement, which respects the priorities of both parties. He recognizes that the negotiations were long and arduous. 鈥淲e now have to move forward and start thinking about the management of this group who have a dual role, that of student and employee. We also have to resume the communications that both parties have initiated and re-establish our peaceful relationship, which was sometimes strained during the negotiations.鈥�