Queen’s has asked the provincial government to appoint a conciliation officer to assist it and the Public Service Alliance of Canada, Local 901, in their negotiation of a renewal collective agreement covering approximately 180 post-doctoral fellows.
“Bringing in a neutral third party can assist the parties in finding common ground,” says Dan McKeown, Interim Associate Vice-Principal (Faculty Relations). “The university is committed to working with PSAC to conclude a renewal agreement that respects both our employees and the limitations dictated by financial realities.”
The appointment of a conciliation officer to assist parties in negotiating an agreement is a normal feature of the collective bargaining process. In conciliation, a provincially appointed conciliation officer confers with the parties as they work through outstanding issues. PSAC and the university have been meeting since April and dates are scheduled for continued talks in August.
Queen’s and several bargaining units on campus successfully negotiated collective agreements over the past year, including Queen’s University Faculty Association, United Steelworkers 2010, Canadian Union of Public Employees locals 229, 254 and 1302, Ontario Nurses’ Association Local 67, and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union Local 452. The university values the contributions of its many employees and remains committed to the collective bargaining process.