The ASTRE unit at the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) signed a new four-year collective agreement on February 24, effective until April 1, 2028.
This agreement significantly improves the working conditions of teaching and research assistants (ASTRE). In particular, it provides for increased union leave, greater transparency in employment contracts, and better timeframes and protection in the event of contract cancellation or absence due to an occupational injury.
Graduate students who have submitted their research papers will now be able to exceed an average of 300 hours per semester, provided they don’t go over 40 hours per week.
On the salary side, members will benefit from a catch-up for lower-paid jobs, adjustments retroactive to April 1, 2025, and annual economic increases of up to 3.5%. Notably, there will be two pay raises in the space of six months.
The signing was celebrated on April 1 at an event attended by union teams and UQTR representatives, marking the culmination of tireless negotiations.
The new agreement reflects ASTRE’s and PSAC’s commitment to improving members’ conditions and ensuring their crucial contribution to the university community is duly recognized.