Statement in Solidarity with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Notice of Strike Deadline

In a press release issued on January 10, 2025, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing over 1,000 essential workers across CUPE Locals 229, 254, and 1302 at Queen’s University, announced that they have filed for job action with the Ontario Labour Relations Board. This decision sets a strike deadline of Monday, February 3, 2025, creating a critical window for the university and Aramark to negotiate a fair, equitable, and just agreement with these unions.

The Society of Graduate and Professional Students (SGPS) unequivocally supports CUPE workers and recognizes their essential role in advocating for improved wages, job stability, and working conditions. Additionally, the SGPS stands in solidarity with the other unions within the Unity Council, including the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and United Steelworkers (USW), as they continue their crucial bargaining efforts.

The SGPS acknowledges that the quality of education at Queen’s University depends on the well-being of its workers. The university thrives because of the contributions of thousands of staff members, many of whom face increasing job insecurity amidst rising inflation and living costs. The working conditions of these employees directly influence the learning environment, and their pursuit of fairness, dignity, and a liveable wage is essential to maintaining the high standards of education and services at Queen’s University.

While we understand that a strike is a challenging scenario, especially for the workers who lose their livelihood during a strike action, we respect the overwhelming 96% strike vote by CUPE members. This strong mandate underscores the urgency of addressing the concerns raised by the workers who sustain the daily operations of the university, without whom Queen’s simply cannot function.

We call on Queen’s University to uphold its commitment to fostering a community that values fairness, respect, and inclusion. These negotiations are not solely about contracts—they are about ensuring the well-being of individuals integral to the university’s success and future relevance.

We sincerely hope that this critical period is used to reach an agreement that reflects the values of our community and the importance of equity in the workplace.

Sincerely,
The 2024-2025 SGPS Executive