The union membership will decide whether to accept the university’s offer on Wednesday.
The Concordia Professional Employees Union (CUPEU) and Concordia University have reached an agreement in principle, as was announced via email on Thursday night. Strike members returned to work on Friday after seven full days of striking.
Concordia presented an offer to CUPEU’s executive committee, and the union will vote on whether or not to accept it at a general assembly on Wednesday. At least 50 per cent plus one of CUPEU’s approximately 600 members, need to vote in favour to pass this agreement.
“This may be a first of its kind of contract for unions in Quebec. In the sense that if this turns out to be, all other unions of Concordia, McGill and universities public sector and even private sector are going to follow suit,” said CUPEU communications Vice President Michael Schmid.
“It could be historic, and that word may not be overstated,” said Schmid.
Approximately a third of CUPEU’s funds are provided by the Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN), as long as CUPEU abides by their contractual obligations with the confederation. For every full strike week, CSN covers every other day of the picketers’ pay, with CUPEU’s savings covering the rest. Since the union did not strike for two full weeks, they will be unable to receive CSN support for the last two strike days on Sept. 11 and Sept. 12.
Details of the agreement, if they are accepted by the membership, will be announced after the General Assembly, which takes place on Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
