A tentative agreement has been reached between Université Laval and its support staff union (SEUL-CUPE 2500) representing 1,922 members. The strike that started on February 9 has therefore been suspended. The agreement will be submitted for the members’ approval at a general meeting on Monday, April 3 at 10 a.m. at the Grand Théâtre de Québec.
If passed, the new collective agreement will be for three years, from April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2019. It offers wage increases of 1.5% in 2016, 1.75% in 2017 and 2% in 2018.
The agreement includes the union’s proposal that the pension plan comply with the terms of Bill 13 on the restructuring of defined benefit pension plans in the university sector. In return, the union agreed to the elimination of several restrictions on the internal mobility of the workforce.
SEUL-CUPE 2500 represents some 1,922 people in the trades, office and technical groups. It includes tradespeople, such as plumbers, carpenters, and electricians; and office staff such as secretaries, studies management personnel and admissions officers, computer and laboratory technicians, and research and administrative staff.
With more than 110,000 members in Quebec, CUPE represents 10,900 members in universities, mainly support staff. CUPE is also present in the following sectors: health and social services, communications, education, energy, municipalities, government corporations and public agencies, urban and air transport, and the mixed sector.
