Collective bargaining toward the next contract for the three groups of Queen’s employees represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is now underway.

Talks began last week with locals 229, 254 and 1302. The CUPE contracts expired in June.

Arbitration/mediation discussions continue in late February between Queen’s and the United Steelworkers of Canada that will determine the status of some positions and whether they will be included in the newly formed staff union.

The Ontario Labour Relations Board issued a certificate granting the union bargaining rights last month after staff voted 53% in favour of certification.

The process to negotiate a first contract between Queen’s and the Public Service Alliance of Canada, the union that will be representing graduate Teaching Assistants and Teaching Fellows, is also underway. The first meetings were held in November and December and are continuing this month.

Discussions also continue with the Ontario Nurses Association on a first contract for the 10 registered nurses in the Queen’s Family Health Team.

The first meetings with the Queen’s University Faculty Association are set to begin this month. The faculty contract expires at the end of April.