-

Strong Strike Votes Signal Possible Labour Disruptions at Queen’s University in the New Year

KINGSTON, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Members of three union locals representing more than 1000 workers at Queen’s University delivered overwhelming majorities in strike votes held this week.

“Queen’s has been neglecting its workforce, its students and its facilities,” said Steve Senechal, a millwright and president of CUPE Local 229. “On campus, many workers don’t earn a living wage, and even for those who do, it’s way below other employers in the Kingston region. That severely hurts the university’s ability to attract and retain staff and provide quality services to the campus community.”

Three locals of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) held strike votes between December 10 and 13, 2024. These include trades, custodial and foodservice workers in CUPE 229, educational and laboratory technical staff in CUPE 254 and library technicians in CUPE 1302.

Across all three locals, 96% of members voted in favour of strike action if needed, signaling the depth of worker dissatisfaction.

“I love the students, and I love working at the university, but it’s hard to see how our members are struggling financially. Many have had to take a second job just to make ends meet. Without adequate remuneration, Queen’s will be unable to attract and retain the sort of highly qualified technicians needed to create an excellent learning environment,” asked Marie Edwards, an IT technician and president of CUPE Local 254.

Most of these Queen’s workers have seen their wages fall below inflation by 11-14% in recent years. In some units, the majority of workers don’t earn a living wage, and a quarter have taken on second or third jobs to try and make ends meet. Even in trades, wages are $10-15 an hour lower than at other Kingston employers. Understaffing is lowering the level of services to students and faculty.

“Our members have sent a clear and resounding message: we will not stand by while wages stagnate and our libraries remain critically understaffed,” said Kim Bell, special collections coordinator at the university’s library and president of CUPE Local 1302. “People would be shocked if they knew what Queen’s workers are dealing with while senior administrators make as much as half a million dollars a year.”

All three CUPE locals are in conciliation, and the strong strike votes make labour disruptions a distinct possibility at Queen’s University and Aramark at Queen’s University early in the new year.

cj/cope491

Contacts

Craig Saunders, CUPE Communications
416-576-7316

Industry:

Canadian Union of Public Employees

Release Versions
English

Contacts

Craig Saunders, CUPE Communications
416-576-7316

More News From Canadian Union of Public Employees

CUPE Ontario urges government to change course ahead of 2026 budget

NIAGARA FALLS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CUPE Ontario president Fred Hahn called on the Ford government to reverse course on its budget priorities Thursday, warning that years of underfunding public services have deepened inequality and harmed workers and communities across the province. Hahn spoke at a press conference and later before the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs as part of the 2026 pre-budget consultations. With more than 300,000 members, CUPE Ontario is the largest union in...

Paramedics need a real solution to growing workforce crisis, not additional red tape through a college: CUPE Ambulance Committee of Ontario

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ontario’s paramedic system is under severe strain as services struggle to recruit and retain workers while frontline paramedics face mounting mental health pressures. Yet some influential voices are once again promoting the creation of a College of Paramedics, an expensive and unnecessary layer of regulation that would do nothing to improve patient care. “Ontario’s paramedic workforce is in the midst of a crisis driven by chronic understaffing, burnout, and a growing v...

Workers from Melville Lodge Vote to Strike

HALIFAX, NS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Halifax-based long term care workers from Melville Lodge, represented by CUPE 3840, vote 100% in a favour of a strike mandate last week, citing wages and retention issues as their main concerns. “Long term care is in crisis. We all know that, even the government does, and many of those issues come down to insufficient staffing levels. Long wait times? Insufficient care? Lack of attention? If we had sufficient staff, the beds the government is creating would have pe...
Back to Newsroom