SGPS Open Letter to Administration

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Dear Principal Deane, Provost Evans, and Queen’s Administration,

We are writing to express our organization’s support for Queen’s graduate student workers, represented by PSAC 901 Unit 1. It is concerning to see that the university has not returned to the bargaining table or resumed discussions with the union to work towards reaching a fair collective bargaining agreement.

Graduate student workers play a vital role in the university’s teaching and research efforts, contributing significantly to its reputation and the advancement of knowledge in our society. It is important for the university to recognize the value of public sector research and the contributions made by these individuals.

We encourage the administration to consider the legitimate demands of PSAC 901 members, as these requests support the wider community’s interests. Fair compensation and adequate resources for these workers are crucial for strengthening public services that benefit us all.

Moreover, we wish to highlight the ongoing challenges, such as low wages and stagnant funding, which impact not only the graduate workers but also the broader community through increased costs of living.

Additionally, we have heard significant concerns from the community stemming from the police and security presence on campus. In the context of a budget deficit and increasing reports of harassment we call on the university to remove external security contractors from campus.

Our organization is proud to stand in solidarity with Queen’s graduate workers and acknowledges their essential role in fostering education, research, and innovation both in Ontario and globally.

Sincerely,

The 2024-2025 SGPS Executive

PDF Verison