Queen's and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) will move to ratify the tentative agreements reached Saturday, with votes expected early next week.

Details of the settlements, reached with the three locals that represent 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) will be made public once both sides have approved the agreement.

The university has successfully negotiated five agreements this year - these three, as well as first contracts with graduate teaching assistants and teaching fellows and the nurses in the Queen's Family Health Team.

"This is a clear indication that the university and its employee groups are committed to reaching settlements and delivering a full academic year," says Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) Alan Harrison. "These agreements recognize our fiscal situation, while reflecting the important work that our faculty and staff do every day in providing a high quality education and student experience."

Mediation with the Queen's University Faculty Association (QUFA) is scheduled to begin Thursday. The parties will be in a legal strike/lockout position at 12:01 am on Monday, August 15.

"We are very much focused on reaching a negotiated agreement with our faculty," says Provost Harrison. "As evidenced with the other employee groups, this is the best and preferred outcome. No one wants a labour disruption."

The university is engaged in contingency planning in the event of labour disruption, however the focus remains securing an agreement at the bargaining table. Information regarding any changes to university operations would be posted as appropriate.

Keep checking the labour news website and follow @QUlabournews on twitter for the latest updates.