Queen’s committed to supporting students as they complete the Winter 2025 term

The work of PSAC 901 Unit 1 bargaining unit members is highly respected and the university is committed to reaching an agreement that both parties can ratify. We are disappointed that PSAC 901 has not yet responded to the competitive offer that was put on the table by the university on Sunday, March 9 and chose to strike.

The university will continue to meet its commitment to students and support them as they complete their term.

The following update provides information for students regarding the conclusion of the term, as well as details on the offer Queen’s presented to PSAC on March 9.

Supporting students

We recognize that strikes are disruptive and strike-related impacts can cause stress and uncertainty for students. Our priority is to ensure all students complete the Winter 2025 term as planned. Although modification to course delivery and/or assessments may be required in some cases, we continue to support students’ academic progress and to minimize disruptions as much as possible.

What does this mean for students?

• Overall Key Winter 2025 term dates remain unchanged:

• We are committed to supporting students’ academic progress with timely grade submission and providing accessibility for students with accommodations.
• Students will receive a grade or credit for all courses that they have taken, and convocation will proceed as scheduled.
  • With respect to courses taught by Teaching Fellows, grades will be assigned to students in as many of these courses as possible. If a grade cannot be assigned, credit standing may be applied with approval from appropriate the Dean’s office.
• The University will also make every effort to communicate any changes as clearly and promptly as possible. Where there are changes or disruptions, we will strive to be flexible.
• Students will be informed of course changes via email and/or the appropriate Learning Management System (for example: OnQ).
• Course changes will be communicated to students within two days of a decision being made or approved. If a change to a course assessment is implemented due to the strike, it will remain in place even if the strike ends before the term concludes.
• The start and end dates of the final exam period are unchanged. Instructors have been directed to make no changes to scheduled exams after March 28, and no new exams may be added to the schedule.

Please see the FAQ page for more information. We encourage students to reach out directly to their instructor, department or faculty office with specific questions.

Support resources for students are available on the Student Resources webpage.

The university’s offer to PSAC in collective bargaining

As previously shared, Queen’s presented the PSAC bargaining team with a comprehensive offer on Sunday, March 9, prior to the strike deadline. This offer includes annual across-the-board increases of 3% / 2.25% / 2.25% which align with recently ratified settlements at Queen's. As of May 1, 2026, the hourly wage rate would be $50; expressed as a stipend for Teaching Fellows, it is $9,924. These increases include a market adjustment of 12.86%, effective May 1, 2025, which would bring the wages for part-time graduate student workers at Queen’s in line with wages paid at comparator U6 research intensive universities in Ontario. More information on the full offer can be found on Labour News.

We are disappointed that the union elected to strike and has still not responded to Queen’s last offer. We are committed to bargaining terms and conditions of employment in good faith, and our objective is to achieve a negotiated tentative agreement to renew the collective agreement, that both parties can ratify.