Kingston, Ont. – A tentative agreement has been reached between Queen’s University and 430 front-line university workers, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), averting a lock-out or strike that would have impacted campus operations.
“Our goal was to bargain effectively and fairly to reach a deal so our members can continue to provide the vital services that have helped build Queen’s reputation,” said Donna Carlaw, CUPE national representative, speaking on behalf of the three CUPE locals at Queen’s University. “We have achieved this goal through perseverance and strong solidarity with our three locals and we want to thank everyone involved – our membership, the university community and fellow staff at Queen’s for their support.”
Details will not be released until CUPE members review and vote on the tentative agreement in upcoming ratification meetings. “We are happy to have reached an agreement and will be recommending it to our membership,” concluded Carlaw.
CUPE represents Queen’s trades and maintenance staff, custodial and athletics staff, residence and recreation staff (CUPE Local 229), technicians providing services at the university’s teaching and research labs (CUPE Local 254), and library technicians (CUPE Local 1302). The workers’ last contracts expired on June 30, 2010.
For more information, please contact:
Donna Carlaw, CUPE National Representative, 613-453-2597
James Chai, CUPE Communications, 416-292-3999