Unit 2 Bargaining Updates # 2 & 3 - Developments in Contract Negotiations for Invigilators
On Friday February 27th and Monday March 9th , we held our second and third bargaining sessions as part of our efforts to secure a stronger contract for invigilators at McGill Our committee consists of Sneha Senthil, Maureen Nayebare, Andrews Baada, Dallas Jokic (AGSEM President), and Guillaume Forest-Allard (our FNEEQ bargaining advisor).
Friday, Feb 27, 2026
During bargaining, proposals are often organized based on how easily both parties can reach agreement. Typically, the easier non-monetary items are discussed and signed off on first before negotiations move toward more complex issues, particularly those involving monetary matters. At our first meeting, McGill proposed grouping different articles of our bargaining proposal into different categories, which our committee agreed to. After agreeing on several non-monetary items, mostly related to harmonizing language with other Collective Agreements or current practices , we began moving into broader demands outlined in the invigilator bargaining mandate, particularly those related to contract stability and shift distribution.
McGill indicated that they are open to discussing the possibility of contracts that last longer than a single semester. They acknowledged that there may be mutual benefit in exploring longer-term arrangements.
However, they expressed concerns about guaranteeing minimum numbers of shifts or hours beyond a single semester. According to them, scheduling remains uncertain because of uncertainty in advance about the number of exam shifts (especially in the summer and winter semesters) and the difficulty of scheduling.
McGill indicated they would like to present more details about their scheduling process at the next session so we can better understand the operational constraints they face.
What this means: We continue to push for greater stability, transparency, and fairness in how contracts and shifts are structured. While the employer has signalled openness to discussing longer-term contracts, there are important differences in how predictability and guarantees would function in practice. These discussions will continue in upcoming sessions.
Monday, March 9 2026
McGill began the session by presenting an overview of how hiring and shift appointments currently work across several of their hiring units, including Enrolment Services, SAA, UGME, ISON, and SPOT. This was helpful for giving both sides a clearer understanding of the current practice and how it might be improved upon.
In Enrolment Services, shift allocation appears to be relatively equitable among Category 4 invigilators (the highest priority category), as the larger pool of shifts allows work to be distributed more evenly. However, in departments like SAA, when multiple invigilators sign up for the same shift, priority is given to the invigilator who worked the most hours in the previous semester.
McGill acknowledged that this mechanism can make it harder to achieve a more equitable shift distribution. We are currently working towards proposing a better mechanism in which shifts can be allocated. If you have any suggestions or would like to participate in discussions, let us know!!
Both sides showed flexibility on smaller items, especially related to lists the union gets from the employer about hiring and employees. We hope that this productive start will mean that bargaining can move quickly and that the employer will be willing to make improvements to the invigilator contract, including more substantive ones like wages, increasing the number of invigilators hired, and other improvements to work conditions.
In our next session on 27th March, McGill will let us know their thoughts on the two-semester contract and disciplinary measures taken in accordance with the Policy of Sexual Violence. While there still is work to be done, each negotiation brings us closer to securing stronger protections and better work conditions for our members.
We would love to have you join us at our next session! Please fill out this form to sign up, and we’ll be in touch! The more invigilators are involved in the process, the more power and knowledge we have:)
If you have any questions, please contact our Bargaining Committee chair, Sneha at invigilator.bc1@agsem-aeedem.ca
Love and solidarity,
Your Bargaining and Bargaining Support Committee