Queen’s University and employees represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) have successfully concluded their contract talks. CUPE collectively represents approximately 430 university staff who are technicians (Local 254), library technicians (Local 1302) and a number of employees in Physical Plant Services, Residence Operations and Athletics & Recreation (Local 229).

“These tentative agreements are a testament to the hard work and commitment of the negotiating teams and I want to thank everyone involved,” says Principal Daniel Woolf. “The fact that the teams were willing and able to work through some significant issues speaks to a powerful, mutual commitment to the institution. We all have a role to play in delivering on the Queen’s promise of a superior post-secondary experience and these tentative agreements clear the way for us to move forward together.”

These tentative agreements will be implemented once they have been ratified by CUPE members and the university’s Board of Trustees. Details of the time and date of the union’s ratification vote will be published when they become available.

"These negotiations were protracted and particularly challenging due to the complexity of the issues involved," says Al Orth, Associate Vice-Principal (Human Resources). "The tentative settlements reached are a result of the respective negotiating teams perseverance and commitment to the collective bargaining process."

CUPE’s last contract expired June 30, 2010.

These three agreements make five collective agreements that have been successfully negotiated at Queen’s this year. In May, the university and the Public Service Alliance of Canada approved a first contract for graduate teaching assistants and teaching fellows. In June, the university and the Ontario Nurses Association ratified a first contract for the nurses in Queen’s Family Health Team.

Keep checking queensu.ca/labournews for more information.