The vote for Steelworkers Union to represent Queen’s staff in bargaining moves one-step closer to a decision on April 28.

Steelworkers and Queen’s will have their first meeting with the Ontario Labour Relations Board to start discussing different positions on the scope of the bargaining unit and who is eligible for membership.

If there is not agreement at this meeting, the discussion will continue at subsequent meetings. Once there is agreement on the bargaining unit, segregated ballots, which were not counted and which would represent eligible members of any agreed bargaining unit will then be counted.

The Steelworkers Union applied to represent the general staff group; the University believes the appropriate bargaining unit also includes the Research, Contract and Grant staff, who, for over 20 years, have been covered by common HR policies, benefits programs and salary structures.