Mount Allison University and CUPE Local 3433 have ratified a new four-year collective agreement.

CUPE Local 3433 (the Mount Allison Staff Association or MASA) represents approximately 140 employees who work in secretarial, clerical, and technical positions at the University.

The parties used an interest-based approach to the negotiations and arrived at an agreement after eight days of bargaining.

"Interest-based bargaining is an effective and productive way to allow both parties to truly understand issues and to then work together to solve problems and achieve common goals," says Katherine DeVere-Pettigrew, Mount Allison's director of human resources. "We are pleased that we were able to come to an agreement that supports our commitment to quality and sustainability while offering fair compensation to our employees."

"We believe having a strong contract benefits the University community and helps ensure stability and growth," says Roxie Ibbitson, CUPE Local 3433 President. "The team believes this to be a good and fair contract, which is reflected in the membership numbers that turned out for the ratification meetings and the vote."

Ibbitson says this contract establishes a strong foundation for a better place to work and gives clarity to resolve any employment issues that may arise.

"I am especially proud of establishing a domestic violence clause in the collective agreement," he says. "This new language will protect those who unfortunately find themselves in this difficult personal situation to seek the time and help they need, while protecting their employment."

The agreement covers the period from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2021.

A tentative agreement was reached on December 7 with the Union ratifying the new agreement on February 9 and the University ratifying it on February 16.

Photo caption: Members of the University and CUPE 3433 negotiating teams with senior administrators at the official signing of the new collective agreement. Seated (l-r) Katherine DeVere-Pettigrew, Robert Campbell, Mount Allison University President and Vice-Chancellor, Roxie Ibbitson, and Lori MacKay, National Servicing Rep for CUPE. Standing (l-r) Margaret Ann Esparza-Lee, Barb MacIntosh, Phil Cormier, Kellie Mattatall, Paul Del Motte, Chris Parker, and Robert Inglis, Vice-President, Finance and Administration.