By The Canadian Press

HAMILTON, Ont. - Negotiations have resumed in a dispute between Hamilton's McMaster University and about 2,700 teaching and research assistants who walked off the job Monday.

Rebecca Strung of the Canadian Union of Public Employees says the invitation to resume talks came from the university Monday morning after picket lines went up at two of the school's entances.

Strung says the picket lines will remain while the talks continue, but will not hinder students trying to attend classes.

Contracts broke off on the weekend after the union rejected the university's latest offer.

Pickets were stationed at two of the school's entrances.