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On February 3rd and 4th, at the union’s request, negotiations were held in the presence of a government appointed arbitrator.  At these last two bargaining sessions, the parties discussed monetary matters.  At the February 4th meeting, the union rejected the University’s proposal to increase on January 1st of this year the value of a “standard” contract (39 contract hours) from $7,200

At the February 4 session with SEU (facilities), the parties started discussing how to approach negotiating wages. The university accepted to present a detailed proposal on what the approach would resemble at the next meeting, set for February 10. 

At the February 3 session with SEU trades, the parties pursued their discussion of temporary alternative work arrangements (TAWA), more particularly as it relates to work-life balance.  The union agreed to present a written counter-proposal on this matter at the next meeting, set for March 11.

At the February 2 session with AGSEM TAs, the university proposed an amendment to the clause on discrimination and harassment, in response to the union’s concerns about having information on all possible recourses at their disposal in such circumstances.  The parties were unable to reach an agreement.

At the January 23 session with AMUSE floor fellows, the parties discussed the inclusion in the collective agreement of descriptions of roles and responsibilities and values. More specifically, the union wants the focus to be on harm reduction and anti-oppression as key issues they must deal with in their work.

An international study led by scientists at McGill University reports, for the first time, that drugs that selectively target the melatonin MT2 receptor represent a novel class of analgesic drugs that could be used to treat patients with neuropathic pain.