After a period of intensive bargaining (four days across two weeks), MUALA reached a tentative agreement with the Employer on Friday, May 10.  Overall, the tone at the table was collegial and productive and MUALA is very pleased to have made significant progress on all the issues identified by members in its bargaining mandate.

After presenting the details of the tentative collective agreement to members over the course of two information sessions, members voted to ratify the new agreement on Thursday, May 23. 

The Employer’s ratification process is currently underway and will culminate with McMaster’s Board of Governors Meeting on Thursday, June 6.  Once ratification is complete, the new collective agreement will be posted to the MUALA website, before coming into effect on August 1, 2024. 

This work could not have been completed without the tremendous effort of the MUALA Negotiations Committee and Bargaining Team, as well as external support from the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) and the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT).  Thank you all!

With the current Collective Agreement set to expire at the end of July, MUALA officially submitted its intent to bargain to the Employer on Tuesday, April 9.

At the Employer’s urging, the MUALA Bargaining Team has agreed to hold May 2, 8, 9, & 10 for collective bargaining.

Acknowledging the difficulty in co-ordinating both parties’ schedules, MUALA requested that an additional three days be held for bargaining later in May, in the event the two sides cannot reach agreement by May 10^th.  The Employer denied this request and re-affirmed their optimism that a tentative agreement can be reached within the four scheduled bargaining days.

MUALA is hopeful that this is an indication of the Employers’ willingness to table a fair and reasonable agreement that effectively address the significant inequities faced by McMaster librarians when compared with their peers within the province and the U15. 

As we work toward May 2 and beyond, MUALA will provide regular updates to members on important news and developments.  Important updates will also be posted to MUALA’s X (@MUALA_CA) and BlueSky (@MUALA) accounts.

Dear Members,

On May 14, 2019, McMaster University Academic Librarians’ Association (MUALA) submitted notice of its intent to bargain with the Employer.  

Based on the availability of both bargaining teams, MUALA has confirmed six meeting dates ahead of the expiration of the current agreement on July 31, 2019. Our first meeting is scheduled for May 21, 2019, with further dates scheduled in July. MUALA is optimistic that significant progress can be made in these meetings, but the team is fully prepared to bargain past expiration should the need arise.

Members will receive bulletins following each meeting with updates on the progress of negotiations. All-member meetings will be scheduled throughout the course of bargaining for the discussion of key issues.

MUALA’s submission package was founded on your input. Thanks to your participation in surveys, consultations, and group discussions over the past year, the Negotiating Committee was empowered to construct a series of proposals that represent the diverse needs of our membership. We will be proposing language that seeks improvements in key areas and adds clarity to existing structures. While we recognize the difficulties of collective bargaining in the current political climate, our unity is our strength.

MUALA is fortunate to have an articulate and dedicated bargaining team negotiating on its behalf.  Representing both library systems and a diversity of professional experience, MUALA’s Bargaining Team comprises:

• Myron Groover, Archives and Rare Books Librarian, Mills Library (Chief Bargaining Officer)
• Andrew Colgoni, Services Librarian, Thode Library
• Neera Bhatnagar, Head of Systems and Public Services, Health Sciences Library

We look forward to working with the employer on the collective goal of creating a strong and useful Agreement that serves the interests of both our Membership and McMaster University.

On behalf of the MUALA Executive Committee,

Jack Young

Secretary, MUALA