CUPE Local 3908 Unit 2 and Trent University are pleased to jointly announce that a new collective agreement has been ratified, following ratification of the agreement by the Board of Governors on December 16, 2021. The agreement was previously ratified by the majority of voting members of CUPE following a week of online voting.

CUPE 3908 Unit 2 represents all employees registered as students at Trent University who are regularly employed for no more than 24 hours per week as teaching assistants, academic assistants, markers, proctors, or lab demonstrators in academic programs at both the Peterborough and Durham campuses.

“Congratulations to both bargaining teams for their work on reaching this agreement, helping ensure the ongoing professional development of academic student employees at Trent who work to support and enhance the overall student experience at the University,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor of Trent.

"Both the University and the CUPE bargaining team came to the table prepared and focused on reaching an agreement,” said Mitch Champagne, president of CUPE 3908 Unit 2. “We are pleased with the many improvements which focus on equity, and support for our student academic workers."

Highlights of the agreement include:

• Three-year deal from September 1, 2021 to August 31, 2024
• 1% per year increase consistent with Bill 124 compensation restraint legislation
• Amendments to the hiring processes for Unit 2 members
• Creation of a trans fund and other amendments to the agreement to improve EDI practices within the collective agreements