After months of negotiations and a lengthy strike, McGill University has agreed to drop its legal challenge against the law faculty union, bringing an end to the ongoing dispute.
The strike, which began in September, was initiated by the McGill Association of University Teachers (MAUT) in response to the university’s decision to implement changes to the law faculty’s hiring and promotion policies without consulting the union.
In a statement released on Monday, McGill announced that it would be withdrawing its legal challenge and returning to the bargaining table with the MAUT. The university also stated that it would be reinstating the previous hiring and promotion policies while negotiations continue.
The decision to drop the legal challenge comes after months of protests and picket lines by striking faculty members, who argued that the changes to the policies would negatively impact their job security and academic freedom.
In a joint statement, the MAUT and McGill expressed their commitment to finding a mutually agreeable solution and moving forward in a positive direction.
“We are pleased to have reached this agreement and look forward to working together to address the concerns of our faculty members,” said MAUT President, Dr. Jane Smith. “We believe that this decision will allow us to focus on the important work of educating our students and conducting groundbreaking research.”
McGill’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. John Doe, also expressed his satisfaction with the resolution, stating, “We are committed to maintaining a positive and collaborative relationship with our faculty and are confident that we can find a solution that benefits both parties.”
The strike has caused significant disruptions to the law faculty’s operations, with many classes being cancelled or moved online. However, with the legal challenge now dropped, faculty members are expected to return to work and resume their regular duties.
The MAUT and McGill have not yet announced a timeline for when negotiations will resume, but both parties have expressed their willingness to work towards a fair and equitable agreement.
This development brings an end to a long and contentious dispute between the university and its law faculty, and marks a step towards a more positive and collaborative relationship moving forward.
