Who We Are: Local 2010 at Queen’s University
USW Local 2010 is the union representing over 1,600 members at Queen’s University. Our members are integral to the smooth functioning of the university, working in various administrative, technical, and clerical roles across the institution. From supporting faculty and students to maintaining essential university services, our members are the backbone of Queen’s daily operations.
Since forming in 2010, our Support Staff local has continually advocated for fair wages, better working conditions, and strong employee benefits. Academic Assistants joined as the 2010-01 unit in April 2011 followed by the Residence Dons as 2010-02 in March 2023. We believe in building solidarity among our members, ensuring that every voice is heard and that each of us has access to the support we need to thrive in our roles.
Our Mission is to create a strong, united workforce that promotes fairness, respect, and equity at Queen’s University. As members of USW, we strive to improve the workplace through collective action and negotiations, working to secure agreements that benefit everyone.
Our Accomplishments:
- Job Evaluation Project: Completed in 2021, this project ensured that our members are compensated fairly for their work based on their actual duties and responsibilities.
- Amended Pay Equity Plan: Finalized in November 2021, this plan addresses and corrects gender-based pay discrepancies across the university.
- Ongoing Bargaining: We are committed to securing strong collective agreements that protect your rights and improve your working conditions, with ongoing bargaining efforts for Academic Assistants and Residence Dons.
At Local 2010, we believe in continuous improvement and remain dedicated to addressing the needs of our members. Whether you’re dealing with workplace challenges, seeking professional development, or want to get involved in union activities, we are here to support you.
USW: A Global Union with a Local Impact
While USW Local 2010 serves Queen’s University, we are part of a much larger movement. The United Steelworkers (USW) is one of North America’s largest and most diverse unions, representing workers in a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, health care, education, and more. With over 800,000 members across the U.S. and Canada, USW fights for workers’ rights on a local, national, and international level.
USW’s core values of solidarity, equality, and fairness are at the heart of everything we do. Our union’s rich history of advocating for workers’ rights—both inside and outside the workplace—continues to guide our efforts to create a better future for all workers.
At USW Local 2010, we’re proud to be part of this larger movement, while focusing on the unique needs and challenges of our members at Queen’s University. Together, we are stronger.
Our Members’ Dues
Union dues empower the USW to protect and advance members’ rights, providing a voice in the workplace and enabling bargaining for better job security, wages, pensions, and benefits.
Dues fund the operations of local unions and central USW services, including bargaining expertise, education programs, health and safety services, workers’ compensation assistance, grievance representation, and legal support. They also contribute to a $300-million strike and lockout defense fund.
Dues represent a small percentage of total earnings, are tax-deductible, and are subject to regular audits by professionals. Each local union receives a public report on these audits, ensuring transparency and accountability. Dues are collected and managed in Canadian financial institutions under the oversight of elected union directors, who serve three-year terms in a “one member, one secret ballot” process.
The USW dues formula is 1.55% of gross pay and 2 cents per hour worked.
