The tentative collective agreements between Queen’s University and the Canadian Union of Public Employees locals 229, 254 and 1302 are now in effect following successful ratification votes by CUPE members earlier today.

The human resources committee of Queen’s Board of Trustees recently voted to ratify the agreements.

“I want to thank the negotiating teams for both the university and the CUPE locals for their efforts over the past 15 months,” says Daniel Woolf, Principal and Vice-Chancellor. “CUPE members from all three locals play important roles in supporting Queen’s exceptional learning environment, and these agreements will help further the university’s academic mission within the limits of our current financial reality.”

The new, four-year agreements will each expire on June 30, 2018. Highlights include:

CUPE Local 229

• A one-time, lump-sum payment of $750, less any applicable deductions, following ratification
• A scale increase of 1 per cent across the board, effective July 1, 2015
• A scale increase of 1.25 per cent across the board, effective July 1, 2016
• A scale increase of 1.25 per cent across the board, effective July 1, 2017

CUPE Local 254

• A one-time, lump-sum payment of $750, less any applicable deductions, following ratification
• A scale increase of 1 per cent across the board effective July 1, 2015, with eligible employees receiving a step increase
• A scale increase of 1.25 per cent across the board effective July 1, 2016, with eligible employees receiving a step increase
• A scale increase of 1.25 per cent across the board effective July 1, 2017, with eligible employees receiving a step increase

CUPE Local 1302

• A one-time, lump-sum payment of $750, less any applicable deductions, following ratification
• A scale increase of 1 per cent across the board effective July 1, 2015, with eligible employees receiving a step increase
• A scale increase of 1.25 per cent across the board effective July 1, 2016, with eligible employees receiving a step increase
• A scale increase of 1.25 per cent across the board effective July 1, 2017, with eligible employees receiving a step increase

The parties also entered into separate memoranda of agreement, reaffirming the parties’ shared commitment to the university pension project and setting out the process for engaging in that project.

Negotiations between the three CUPE Locals and the university began in June of last year. Bargaining took place over 23 dates collectively, seven of which were conducted with the assistance of a provincially appointed conciliator.

CUPE Local 229 represents approximately 250 heating and maintenance employees; CUPE Local 254 represents approximately 90 technicians; and CUPE Local 1302 represents approximately 55 library and archive employees.