Montréal, Wednesday, August 27, 2014 – The union of UQAM employees (SEUQAM, CUPE 1294) has called a 24-hour general work stoppage starting on Wednesday, September 3. UQAM’s approximately 2,000 employees, who have been without a labour contract since May 31, 2012, and negotiating with the university administration since March 2013, are timing the action to coincide with the start of the school year to draw attention to the slow pace of negotiations with their employer.
SEUQAM representative Martin Larose explained, “The stumbling blocks of talks have been salaries and other financial aspects as we struggle to maintain employees’ purchasing power.” He said that a negotiation meeting with the UQAM administration is scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday, August 28), adding, “What is on the table right now is unacceptable when you look at what has been negotiated in the rest of the Université du Québec system. UQAM employees deserve just as much as their colleagues at other institutions. We are hoping our message will be heard.”
A total of 14 negotiation sessions have been held since the union filed its demands on March 12, 2013. SEUQAM reported back to members on the status of negotiations at meetings held on July 8 and 10 of this year. Some 93.4% of SEUQAM employees voted by secret ballot in support of the use of pressure tactics up to and including a five-day strike. No meetings have taken place since due to the employer’s unavailability.
SEUQAM
The union of UQAM support workers (SEUQAM, CUPE 1294) represents approximately 2,000 employees of that university institution. Its members fall into four different groups: trades and services, clerical, technical and professional. They have been without a labour contract since May 31, 2012.
CUPE
With more than 111,000 members, CUPE-Quebec represents approximately 10,400 university employees, primarily support workers. CUPE is also active in a broad range of sectors, including health and social services, education, energy, Quebec government corporations and public agencies, air transportation, public transit and the mixed sector.
Information:
Martin Larose, CUPE Representative, cell. 514-884-6635
Robert Bellerose, CUPE Information Service, cell. 514-247-9266 - rbellerose@scfp.qc.ca