Sam Reynolds

Duct tape on the sidewalks by McGill’s entrances now demarcates exactly where MUNACA members on strike are allowed to march. Those aren’t the only lines on campus as a result of the labour conflict; these are divides which no one expects will be crossed anytime soon. New developments this week include a ruling on McGill’s alleged use of scab labour by the Quebec Labour Board, a press conference held by MUNACA,  and a letter sent to Heather Monroe-Blum from 13 biology professors.

Scab labour ruling

The Quebec Labour Board (CNT) ruled yesterday in favour of McGill on the issue of the university’s use of  replacement workers.

The provincial labour board, which issued the ruling late Tuesday morning, found that McGill has been fully compliant with the law and has not used illegal replacement (scab) workers to fill gaps due to absent strikers.

The CNT originally sent an investigator to McGill in late September to review scab use allegations filed by MUNACA. At the end of a 12-day investigation, the labour board released a non-legally-binding report which found 26 instances of illegal scab labour. In the days that followed, MUNACA filed a complaint based on the investigation and McGill presented its position before the board.

Yesterday’s ruling represents a legal verdict on the CNT’s initial finding and clears McGill of any wrongdoing.

“We’ve said all along that the Quebec labour code allows for certain types of workers, management employees, to perform the work of employees who are on strike,” Michael Di Grappa, McGill’s VP Administration and Finance, said. “This ruling supports [what we’ve  always been doing].”

According to Di Grappa, the original report contained some inaccuracies which likely led to the original 26 allegations of scab labour.  There was also some ambiguity around an employee who was called to work at a different campus, but the ruling stated that McGill was operating under the law.

“In most of the other cases, I’d say that it was differences in interpretation of the law,” Di Grappa said. “We’re very pleased that the commission sided with the university.”

Press conference

Last Friday, MUNACA held a press conference in conjunction with representatives from SSMU, PSAC (MUNACA’s affiliate union), and 13 biology professors who have spoken out on the strike.

John Gordon, national president of PSAC, alleged that the university had been attempting to silence students who support the strikers.

“The university has been doing everything in its power to throw roadblocks at [us] every step along the way when it comes to addressing the issues,” Gordon said. “They refuse to address the issues but at the same time they’re trying to gag their own students from doing any protests in support of the strikers.”

Michael Di Grappa, McGill’s VP administration and finance, called the statement false and unfounded in response.

“Mr. Gordon doesn’t know that of which he speaks … the fact that there have been numerous demonstrations on campus, I think, puts the lie very effectively to that statement,” Di Grappa said.

Di Grappa also refuted the union’s claims that McGill has been stalling negotiations.

“Mr. Gordon should know that the conciliator offered many more dates than were accepted by the parties, and it was the unavailability of his representatives that limited the number of dates that we’ve had so far.”

Kevin Whittaker, president of MUNACA, spoke at the conference about changes to their picketing strategy in response to the extension of the injunction, which limits their ability to picket on campus. He also discussed a request for alumni to withhold donations until after reconciliation has occurred.  

“As this injunction has been renewed, we will now be expanding our horizons into more creative methods,” Whittaker said. “We are also asking all alumni from McGill to not donate any money to McGill during the course of the strike. If they wish to do so afterwards, we would encourage them to wait until that time.”

He is also pleased with the reaction he’s gotten from a few members of McGill’s Board of Directors in response to letters.

“We have had some reactions from [some members of the Board] and they have indicated that they will be talking to the university,” he said.

After the press conference, attendees then moved to a rally held on a blocked-off section of McGill College directly across from the Roddick Gates. A negotiator from PSAC updated the union’s members on the process of negotiations. Although no progress has been made on contentious issues like pensions and wage increases, MUNACA had made considerable headway, the negotiator said, on other issues including the language in MUNACA’s agreements surrounding job security.

“The bad news is, we’re still on strike,” the negotiator said, adding that the union would not budge without a meaningful response from the university on key issues, such as pensions.

“In the meantime: stand together in solidarity, because that’s how we’re going to win this thing.”

Faculty support letter

“While we were pleased earlier this month to see McGill ranked first among universities in Canada, we feel we should not turn our backs on a key part of our community that has allowed us to reach that position,” reads part of the open letter addressed to Principal Heather Monroe-Blum from 13 biology professors, urging both parties to resolve the dispute quickly.

Professor Dr. Louis Lefebvre, present at the press conference, emphasized that McGi
ll staff and students must not ignore the striking workers, and that it is not just “business as usual” at the university.

“If [students haven’t noticed the effects of the strike], it’s because someone is working behind the scenes,” he said. “I already know one manager who’s had to take time off because of illness she attributes to overwork … that’s not the way things should be in the community.”

At the same time, he clarified that the letter was not necessarily in support of either side, but rather in recognition of the professors’ absent colleagues and in favour of a speedy and amicable resolution to the strike.

“I’m not saying [to] support the strike … [but] let’s acknowledge the fact that it’s not business as usual,” he said. Nonetheless, Lefebvre believes it is important for students to understand the issues behind the  MUNACA strike and to deal with their ethical and moral implications.

“We’re not a vocational training school,” Lefebvre said. “We’re teaching [students the technical aspect of their degree], but also to be citizens and thinkers … well-made heads, les têtes bien faites.”