Polytechnique: sessional lecturers reach tentative agreement

The association for union solidarity of Polytechnique Montreal bargaining team (Association pour une Solidarité Syndicale de l’École Polytechnique (PSAC-ASSEP) has reached a tentative agreement without compromises for its École Polytechnique lecturers.

“After running into some difficulties in the first few meetings, the bargaining teams reached an agreement to significantly improve our working conditions in a climate of respect and goodwill,” said ASSEP Coordinator Sébastien Paquette.

“This is a great victory for our members. I would like to commend the bargaining team for staying the course and not backing down despite the pandemic. This agreement once again emphasizes the importance of engagement and mobilization,” added PSAC-Quebec Regional Executive Vice-President Yvon Barrière.

Since the collective agreement expired on August 31, 2020, the ongoing pandemic and inflation meant that an agreement had to be reached quickly. The PSAC-ASSEP bargaining team will call members to a ratification meeting on February 10 and unanimously recommend acceptance of the agreement.

The following is an overview of the agreement. More details will be presented at the ratification meeting:

  • Four-year collective agreement
  • Wage increases: 
    • 2% for 2020 (retroactive)
    • 2% for 2021 (retroactive)
    • 2% + 5% adjustment for 2022
    • 2% + 5% adjustment for 2023
    • 2.25% for 2024
  • RRSP: The employer will contribute 7% rather than 3% (a 4% increase) starting 2022. 
  • Parental leave will increase from 88% to 90% of salary.
  • $500 signing bonus
  • Approximately $70/hour for mandatory training required by the employer.
  • Payment of professional dues if required for the work and not covered by another employer.
  • Reserve clauses reduced from 20% to 17% of courses offered without a posting.
  • Improvements in job security when posting and assigning.