McMaster and its 2,200 support workers have a tentative contract agreement. But the university is still negotiating with its 2,700 teaching assistants who have just given their bargaining team a “strong” strike mandate.

The support workers’ agreement reached Tuesday is subject to ratification by the university and members of Canadian Auto Workers Local 555, Unit 1.

Local 555 president Matt Root said workers will get details at a ratification meeting on Monday or Tuesday, and vote on the agreement immediately afterwards.

The two sides have been negotiating since April and were at loggerheads over pensions. The university wanted future hires to join a group RRSP but the union wanted to retain the existing defined benefits pension plan for all. There was also a dispute over the job evaluation system.

“This has been a tough round of negotiations,” said Root. “Given the current climate, you can’t get everything … We think we’ve come to something reasonable.”

Local 555 represents administrative and technical support staff at the university. The last contract expired June 15.

Meanwhile, teaching assistants, represented by CUPE Local 3906, held a six-day strike vote after rejecting a final offer.

Union spokesperson Derek Sahota wouldn’t release the results of the vote last night, but said it was a “strong mandate” from members.

The two sides are back at the bargaining table Sept. 30.

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