McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, has one of the largest collective agreements for faculty in Canada. The agreement, which was last updated in 2020, covers a wide range of topics, from salaries and benefits to job security and workload.
One of the main features of the agreement is the salary schedule. Faculty members are classified into different ranks based on their academic qualifications and years of experience, and each rank is associated with a specific salary range. The current contract includes a 1.25% salary increase for 2020-2021 and 1.5% for 2021-2022.
The agreement also includes provisions for benefits, such as health and dental insurance, and pension plans. Faculty members have the option to enroll in a defined benefit pension plan, which guarantees a specific level of retirement income, or a defined contribution plan, which allows the member to contribute to their retirement savings on a tax-deferred basis.
In terms of job security, the collective agreement outlines the process for tenure and promotion, as well as procedures for addressing grievances and disputes. Faculty members who are facing termination due to budget cuts or program discontinuation are entitled to notice, severance pay, and assistance with finding alternative employment.
A significant portion of the agreement is devoted to workload. The contract establishes caps on the number of courses, hours of instruction, and administrative duties that faculty members can be assigned. It also provides for compensation for extra work, such as teaching overload or committee assignments.
The collective agreement is negotiated between the university administration and the faculty union, which is the McMaster University Faculty Association (MUFA). MUFA represents over 1,200 full-time and part-time faculty members across all faculties and departments.
In conclusion, the McMaster collective agreement for faculty is a comprehensive document that covers numerous aspects of employment and working conditions. It reflects the ongoing negotiations between the faculty union and the university administration to ensure a fair and equitable relationship between the two parties.
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