McGill law professor union agrees to suspend strike, resume classes this week
The union representing law professors at McGill University has agreed to suspend its strike until the next meeting with an arbitrator.
The Association of McGill Professors of Law (AMPL) has been on strike since late August, and on Monday, the university's administration had threatened to cancel the semester for law students if the union hadn't agreed to end its labour action by the end of the day.
On Tuesday morning, McGill Provost Chris Manfredi and AMPL president Evan Fox-Decent issued a joint statement to law students stating that the union had agreed to end the strike until the meeting on Oct. 8.
"During this period the parties will try to find a federated approach between the different professor’s unions to negotiate collective agreements with the University," according to the statement, which was shared with CTV News.
"Classes will resume no later than October 3rd."
Robert Leckey, dean of the Faculty of Law, and Associate Dean Tina Piper are expected to release more details about the agreement in the coming days.
The Canadian Press reported on Monday that the university offered to drop its judicial review of the union's certification if it agreed to negotiate working conditions collectively with other unions at the school.
The university administration said it wants to avoid a "Kafkaesque situation" whereby different groups of professors would negotiate collective agreements independently.
The union, which includes more than 40 professors, had said faculty members wouldn't return to classrooms until McGill drops the legal challenge. It is also demanding better pay and more involvement in the faculty's governance.
"This solution is a win for everyone at McGill," said Fox-Decent, also a law professor, in a statement. "Through our first collective agreement, we will set a pattern that will serve all McGill professors, students and staff into the future."
Quebec's labour tribunal granted the certification of law professors' union in November 2022, but it has yet to adopt its first collective agreement. Tuesday's joint statement does not indicate whether it was dropping the legal challenge.
The union added: "McGill will need to agree to a federated structure that the unions present for the strike to end permanently. The parties must now work together to ensure that the strike will not resume on October 8."
After the law professors' union was formed, two other groups of professors in the education and arts fields have filed for union certification.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE UPDATES Tracking Hurricane Milton: Storm strengthens to Category 5 again
The U.S. National Hurricane Center designated Hurricane Milton as a Category 5 storm again after reaching wind speeds of 165 m.p.h. (270 km/h).
Hurricane Milton expected to hit Florida cities like Tampa, Orlando and Daytona Beach
Hurricane Milton is expected to leave a path of devastation across central Florida, from Tampa in the west to Daytona Beach in the east.
Meteorologist becomes emotional giving update on Hurricane Milton
A seasoned American meteorologist became emotional on air as he gave an update on a major hurricane, later suggesting the reason behind his strong reaction.
'I hope so': Marc Garneau on whether Liberal party still has room for Blue Liberals
Former cabinet minister Marc Garneau, who describes himself in his new book as always-a-Liberal, 'but a decidedly blue one,' says he hopes the party still has room for someone like him.
'Very' serious issue: federal transport minister on contamination in northern Alberta town
The renewed pleas of people in Fort Chipewyan, Alta. for government to take action cleaning up contamination in their community have reached the ears of federal Transport Minister Anita Anand.
'Extremely disappointed': Family of homicide victim storms out of courtroom as judge reads decision
Emotions boiled over after a judge acquitted two out of three defendants in a manslaughter case, while the third accused has since died.
Leaders condemn 'hateful rhetoric' at B.C. pro-Palestinian protest on Oct. 7
Political leaders are condemning what they describe as "hateful rhetoric" from a speaker at a pro-Palestinian rally in Vancouver who told the crowd that 'we are Hezbollah and we are Hamas.'
'I find it really disheartening': Family calls out police after Ottawa senior falls victim to theft in parking lot
On September 11, 80-year-old Madeleine Gervais was the victim of a theft in Ottawa's west end. It happened in the Loblaws parking lot in College Square, when she was approached by a man and a woman who insisted to help her load her groceries into her car.
Is it safe to buy from Temu and Shein? Here's what Canada says it's doing to try to protect consumers
As U.S. regulators push for an investigation into what they call 'deadly baby and toddler products' from foreign e-commerce sites, health officials in Canada say they haven't determined whether any laws or regulations have been broken.