June 28, 2010 Bargaining Unit Update

As you know from our previous staff union campaign updates, the USW and the Administration agreed that May 26 was the deadline for the University to provide information about its stance on bargaining unit issues.

We were pleased to receive a large quantity of information from Queen’s on that date.  USW representatives and Steering Committee members have worked hard to review and assess this information.

So far, the information has helped us to resolve some outstanding issues. We have been able to resolve:

a modest number of ballots cast that both parties now agree will be in the bargaining unit;

a modest number of ballots cast that both the USW and the University now agree will not be in the bargaining unit; and

a few ballots cast by people who were not Queen’s employees (such as post doctoral fellows, etc) and whose ballots therefore will not be counted.

A significant number of issues and ballots remain to be resolved.

The USW has suggested to the Administration that agreements arrived at consensually are preferable to litigating issues at the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB). Accordingly, the USW has asked the Administration to consider engaging in an alternative resolution process, such as mediation/arbitration.

Last week the USW also asked the Administration to meet face-to face in Kingston as soon as possible and offered a series of open dates throughout July.

The USW is ready to work diligently with Queen's to resolve the outstanding issues around this application.  We will keep Queen’s staff updated in the coming days and weeks.

Pension issues – an update
Click here for an update on the QUFA website about Queen’s pension plan issues.