Global offer rejected - Concordia University workers protest snail's pace to contract negotiations

MONTREAL, April 23, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - After voting 97.4% to reject a global contract offer during a special general assembly Monday, Concordia University's unionized technicians will join other CSN unions at noon Thursday to protest the university administration's inability to reach agreements to renew their collective agreements.

The Concordia University Union of Support Staff - Technical Sector (CUUSS-TS), the Concordia University Library Employees Union (CULEU) and the Concordia University Support Staff Union (CUSSU) will gather in advance of a Concordia Board of Governors meeting at the corner of Guy and De Maisonneuve at 11:30 am on April 25. Several other Concordia employee associations are also expected to participate.

The technicians' collective agreement expired May 31, 2009. The offer they rejected by a vote of 74 to 2 on Monday included salary increases significantly below the rate of inflation. The union is also seeking an improved harassment policy, a standardized leave periods and healthcare benefits.

"Concordia never fails to find money for administrators' generous salary hikes, while we are simply trying to keep pace in increases to the cost of living," said CUUSS - TS president Alex Macpherson. "There is absolutely no reason it should take up to four years to settle our collective agreement when our demands are so reasonable."

The Concordia administration's proposed salary increases total only 8.5% over a six-year contract, far below the actual and expected rate of inflation for this period. It has justified the paltry offer by saying it is adhering to the Quebec government's public-sector salary guidelines.

"The argument is a red herring," countered Mr. Macpherson. "Concordia is not subject to Quebec's public sector ceiling. The university should be accountable to its community and settle a fair contract for the people who keep this school operational."

WHAT: Demonstration to protest Concordia foot-dragging during contract negotiations.

WHO: Concordia University unions representing technicians, library workers, support staff and other employee groups.

WHEN: Thursday, April 25, at 11:30 am.

WHERE: Near the Norman Bethune statue at the corner of Guy St. and Boulevard De Maisonneuve in Montreal.

SOURCE: CSN

Lyle Stewart, CSN communications service, at 514 796-2066.