So close to a deal

Posters on both of Concordia University’s campuses are sporting a new slogan- “so close to a deal, so close the deal!”

This is because hundreds of unionized employees at the University have been working without a collective agreement for years. And on Tuesday roughly 150 members from various unions gave up their lunch break to demonstrate.

The demonstrators are hoping to get the administration back to the bargaining table.

At the moment, 14 of the 15 unions are working without labour agreements.

Library workers, support staff, part-time faculty, technicians, professionals and tradespeople have gone without a salary increase for almost five years.  

President of the Concordia University Union of Support Staff – Technical Sector, Alex Macpherson says the university left no room for negotiations, which stalled things for over a year.

He believes, however, that a settlement is close and with a little more nudging the contracts will be settled.