PSAC 901 continues to advocate for improved mental health supports
On Jan. 17, PSAC 901 released a bargaining communique stating that they have received no comments from Queen’s as they seek out a new collective agreement.
“Last week we delivered our monetary demands to [Queen’s University], to date they haven’t responded with questions, counter-proposals or new bargaining dates,” the communique read.
PSAC 901 will appoint Conciliation Officer appointed to support the bargaining process.
“A Conciliation Officer will be appointed to us by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development early next week. They will meet with both 901 and the Employer in attempt to come to an agreement.”
PSAC 901 is continuing their online drive to gain support for their demands—including improved work hours, and the provision of paid sexual violence and anti-racism training.
“We have asked Queen’s for the minimum required for us to do our jobs with less precarity including: better access to mental health supports, paid anti-racism and sexual assault prevention training, new and extended leaves, and a hardship fund,” the communique said.
This communique follows a rally organized for graduate students in late November.
READ MORE: Queen’s rallies for graduate students
Graduate organizations across campus and in Ontario have released letters in support of PSAC 901 and their collective bargaining demands.
Queen’s Graduate Electrical and Computer Engineering Council released a Facebook post in support of PSAC 901’s efforts.
“The Graduate ECE Council stands in solidarity with PSAC 901 in demanding fair funding, mental health support and workplace equity,” the post read.
Michael Villeneuve, Director of Faculty Relations, said Queen’s respects employees and the collective bargaining.
“Queen’s values the work of all of its employees and respects the collective bargaining process including obligations to bargaining in good faith,” Villeneuve wrote in an email sent to The Journal.
“We are engaged in a bargaining process with PSAC, and we are, in a timely fashion, actively reviewing the significant proposals put forward to us by PSAC earlier in January.”
The University will not speculate on the state of negotiations or on the bargaining process at this time.
“In respecting the parties involved, the University will not engage in speculation or negotiation outside of the bargaining process.
Once a tentative agreement is reached, and ratified successfully by the parties, the details of that agreement will be shared publicly,” Villeneuve wrote.
Villeneuve added that Queen’s wants to reach to a “fair agreement” with all parties involved.
