During negotiations earlier this year leading to our first collective agreement, MUALA was informed by the University that it had “experienced a significant change in its financial circumstances, which now necessitates certain cost reductions within the bargaining unit.” As a consequence, MUALA is currently negotiating with the University administration regarding these cost reductions, which include voluntary separations (retirements) and may include involuntary separations (layoffs). Once these negotiations are completed and the staffing levels reduced, there will be a reorganization of the roles of academic librarians at McMaster University Library. When this reorganization is finalized, MUALA will have an opportunity to comment on the whole process.