Fighting Back: Holding Queen’s Accountable
Bill 124 dealt a harsh blow to workers at Queen’s and across Ontario, forcing public sector wage increases to a meager 1% per year and tying the hands of union leaders who fought for better. At Queen’s, the damage is undeniable—real wages have fallen 11-14% behind inflation, leaving workers struggling to make ends meet.
For years, Queen’s cashed in on the artificially low wages imposed by Bill 124. The legislation was first declared unconstitutional back in November 2022 and they’ve had every opportunity to make things right. Unity Council has been calling on Queen’s to reopen contracts since early 2023, but the university refused, dragging their feet until contracts expired. Now, they’re showing their true colours, rejecting any meaningful attempt to repair the harm done to workers during bargaining.
The CUPE units have already reported that Queen’s flat-out refuses to offer Bill 124 compensation. PSAC 901 and USW 2010 are bracing for the same treatment—but we’re not standing idly by.
Queen’s claims they need to wait for the outcome of a lawsuit filed by the Ontario Federation of Labour before taking action. Let’s be clear: there’s nothing stopping them from negotiating fair compensation right now. Instead, they’re hiding behind excuses while trotting out the tired “budget crisis” narrative. But we see through it—this is the same institution that had no problem handing out generous raises to upper management and senior leadership.
USW won’t accept these weak excuses. We’re fighting back because workers deserve fair treatment, and Queen’s needs to pay what it owes. They’ve had months to fix this, and we’re here to make sure they finally deliver.
Bargaining Town Hall: Your Questions Answered
Over 400 Steelworkers attended our Bargaining Town Hall on January 22nd! Here are some of the questions that were asked and answered during the meeting.
Why aren’t we striking alongside CUPE?
There are a few key reasons:
- Different Contract Timelines: CUPE’s five collective agreements expired in the spring and summer of 2024, while USW’s agreement expired later, in December 2024. This means we’re at an earlier stage in the bargaining process.
- Delays by Queen’s: Queen’s has been struggling to schedule our bargaining dates due to a lack of organization. Because of this we’re unlikely to line up with other units.
- Strategic Solidarity: While our timelines don’t align perfectly, our struggles are interconnected, and our solidarity remains strong. Sequential strikes are just as effective as simultaneous strikes. By continuing to push back, we strengthen the collective fight for fair treatment and compensation for all workers at Queen’s.
Will we lose access to our QMobile cell phones?
If you have a personal cell phone through Queen’s Mobile (QMobile) you will still be able to use that phone since the contract is between you and Queen’s Mobile. If your cell phone is paid by Queen’s, you may lose access to that device during a work stoppage.
What should I do if I’m a member of two unions at Queen’s and one goes on strike?
You withdraw your labour only for the union that is on strike but continue working under the other union’s duties. For example, if you teach under QUFA and are support staff under USW, you would stop doing your support staff duties during a USW strike but continue teaching under QUFA.
Is working from home during a strike considered crossing the picket line?
Yes, working from home is considered crossing the virtual picket line. A picket line isn’t just a physical space—it represents the collective withdrawal of labour during a strike. If you perform your regular work duties, regardless of location, it undermines the strike and weakens the union’s bargaining power. To fully support the strike, it’s important to withhold your labour entirely, whether you work on campus or remotely. The union will receive a list of individuals who cross the physical and virtual picket line.
Will Queen’s know how I voted in the strike vote?
No, Queen’s will not know how you voted in the strike vote. The vote is conducted with a secret ballot, meaning your name is never provided to the university. Your vote remains confidential and private.