McGill University: Casual support workers on strike

MONTRÉAL, Oct. 29, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - This morning, the Public Service Alliance of Canada, Quebec Region (PSAC‑Quebec) and the Association of McGill University Support Employees (AMUSE) ordered a five-day strike.

"The employer is not taking us seriously. We have no other choice but to launch a strike this morning. Unfortunately, this will disrupt all activities planned this weekend, including the beginning of the term, the Open House and the Alouettes football game," stated Claire Michela, AMUSE President.

The AMUSE contract expired on April 19, 2015. There has been little progress in negotiations. After 20 meetings, half of which before a conciliator, AMUSE members gave their bargaining team a strike mandate on October 20.

Yesterday's meeting proved to be unsuccessful. There was no movement from the employer on major non-monetary demands. Management refuses to post Work-Study Program jobs in a transparent and standardized manner and establish a feedback mechanism for the Program. Student workers who already find themselves in dire financial circumstances are faced with an additional barrier created by McGill.

"After a year and a half of bargaining, that's the stumbling block. And we have yet to discuss salary increases. In fact, we did table our wage demands, but got no response from McGill. How inconsiderate! Even though we are just casual workers, we still deserve McGill's respect," indicated Ms. Michela.

AMUSE Profile

AMUSE is a PSAC-Quebec local representing annually close to 1,000 members working as casual non-academic support workers at McGill University. 

PSAC Profile in Quebec

PSAC represents more than 180,000 members across Canada. An FTQ affiliate, PSAC-Quebec has more than 40,000 members in the federal public sector, Quebec universities and the private sector.

SOURCE PUBLIC SERVICE ALLIANCE OF CANADA (PSAC-QUEBEC)

For further information: Vincent-Carl Leriche, AFPC-Québec, 438-324-0561