[finklej]

McMaster University is in the midst of a labour dispute. On Wednesday morning, members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 2 may establish picket lines on campus.

Unless otherwise directed by the Student Representative Assembly (SRA), the MSU maintains a policy of neutrality during labour disputes on the McMaster campus. Students must be aware of their rights and responsibilities during a labour dispute.

Every student has the right to cross or not to cross a picket line on campus. The choice is yours to make.

In speaking with University Administration regarding what this right entails, the right to not cross a picket line cannot be used as an excuse to not complete course requirements/assignments. A students who chooses to not cross a picket line must contact their professor to determine alternative arrangements for course work. This will be handed on a case-by-case basis between the student and the professor. Basically, your absence will be treated in the same manner as would an illness. Should there be a dispute between you and your professor, please speak with your Associate Dean’s office. According to the Rights and Responsibilities document, “Students, therefore, have a right to extended deadlines, make-up tests and assignments, reasonable alternative access to course materials, and/or other special arrangements as may be appropriate.” These arrangements must be discussed beforehand with your course instructor. The Senate document governing these rights can be found on the MSU website under the Labour Relations page.

Additionally, every student has the right to cross the picket lines should they wish to do so. Picketers are allowed to speak with people at the entrance point, hand out information and/or ask people to join the picket lines. However, picketers are not permitted to prevent your access to campus or interfere in any way with students wishing to enter the area.

According to the University’s Labour Relations webpage, HSR buses will not cross the picket lines, and therefore will not be coming on campus. Information on routes changes are located here. This is the same for GO, Greyhound and Coach Canada buses. Bus services for all carriers will not cease, but most will not come onto campus during a labour dispute. HSR will drop B Line riders off at Sterling and Forsyth, while intra-city buses will pick up/drop off on Main Street at Emerson. Also, it is highly likely that traffic will be backed up down both Sterling Street and Cootes Drive. Give yourself lots of extra time if you are taking the bus or driving to campus.

The main role of the MSU during a labour dispute is to keep the students informed. In order to do this, we have created an MSU Labour Relations Information page. This page will seek to keep the student population informed of the current negotiations between the University and SEIU Local 2. It will contain only official communications from both sides and will not include any opinion or commentary from the MSU. As well as checking the MSU webpage, I would highly recommend that you contact your members on the Student Representative Assembly for further information.

For more information, please contact:

Joe Finkle
VP (Education)
[email protected]
905-525-9140 ext. 24017

What are you talking about, the main role of the MSU during anything is to do nothing.

do something mary! :]

Well, this sounds like it'll be a pain in the butt.

Originally Posted by Replekia

Well, this sounds like it'll be a pain in the butt.

Just like last year. I really hope they get the issue resolved soon!