A new collective agreement between Trent University and CUPE Local 3908 Unit 1 has been ratified, following a special meeting of the Executive Committee of the Board of Governors meeting on Monday, March 23, 2020. The agreement was previously ratified by the majority of voting members of CUPE after a five-day voting period ending March 19, 2020.

CUPE Local 3908 Unit 1 represents approximately 300 course instructors, clinical instructors, markers, tutorial leaders, workshop leaders, academic counsellors, academic skills counsellors and lab demonstrators at Trent University. The previous agreement between the University and CUPE 1 expired August 31, 2019.

Highlights of the agreement include:

• A four-year term commencing September 1, 2019
• A commitment to increasing the number of continuing sessional appointments and introducing a small number of long-term regular positions across the University
• Enhancements to professional expenses reimbursement including the way it is administered and the amount individuals are entitled to in years two, three, and four
• A commitment to move to a cost-effective, employer paid group benefits plan in the fourth year of the agreement

Across-the-board increases to stipends and rates in years one, two, three and four consistent with provincial compensation restraint legislation