Concordia Teaching Assistant Pay Negotiations Still Stalled

No Updates on New TRAC Pay Rate

NewsMichelle Pucci — Published January 14, 2016 | Updated January 14, 2016 at 12:53pm

TAs are being paid according to 2014-2015 rates, since the Teaching and Research Assistants at Concordia (TRAC) union has not come to an agreement with the university.

TRAC was initially promised a fixed cross-faculty pay rate for teaching assistants, depending on their level of studies: undergraduate, Master’s or Doctoral students.

Since the negotiations began, TRAC has agreed to change their demands, and are now asking for a set pay rate across faculties for each job description. For example, markers and tutorial leaders would earn different salaries, which would not depend on their level of studies.

TRAC president Nader Jafari Nodoushan said Concordia’s pay rate offer for markers was significantly lower than previous pay rates, and the union refused to resume negotiations until another offer is made.

“We understand the issues from both sides,” Nodoushan told The Link. “The same pay for the same job is the sole way for fair payments.”

Nodoushan pointed out the university’s 2012-2016 Academic Plan, which emphasised investing in teaching assistants.

“Nothing is different from November on our side, but on Concordia University’s side I have no idea,” Nodoushan said about the stalemate.

Concordia President Alan Shepard declined to comment with details as to why the negotiations have stalled.

“We’re hoping we’re going to get a settlement where both sides feel like they’ve been fairly treated,” Shepard said.

With files from Josh Fischlin