Western University and striking teaching assistants reach tentative deal

LONDON, Ont. — Western University and picketing graduate teaching assistants have reached a tentative deal after a two-week strike.

The university says the tentative agreement with Public Service Alliance Local 610 will now go before Western's board of governors and members of the union for ratification.

About 2,000 graduate teaching assistants at the London, Ont., university went on strike earlier this month as the spring exam season got underway.

The union had said wage increases, housing support and what they describe as funding clawbacks were among the issues at play.

In a post to social media, Public Service Alliance says the tentative agreement is "positive news" but advised members to stay on the picket line and watch for ratification vote details.

The tentative agreement comes after striking York University academic workers ratified a deal with that post-secondary institution earlier this month after a nearly two-month labour disruption.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 26, 2024.

The Canadian Press