Local 2010 has been actively bargaining with the Employer since late March 2022 for our Support Staff bargaining unit (~1,400 Members). Please review the information below to familiarize yourself with the details. The Union ratified the new Collective Agreement for Local 2010 on July 21, 2022. Electronic version to be published soon. If you have questions regarding the new contract, please email: contact@usw2010.ca
Steelworkers have voted!
On July 20th and 21st, the Union met with the Membership to review and vote on the tentative Collective Agreement final offer from the Employer.
We are pleased to announce that 93.8% of Steelworkers who participated in the Ratification Vote, accepted the contract.
Language highlights and monetary matters for the renewed Collective Agreement can be reviewed by clicking here. The electronic version of the renewed Collective Agreement to be published soon.
If you have questions regarding the new contract, please email: contact@usw2010.ca
We thank all Steelworkers who engaged in the bargaining processes, and for taking the time to make your voices heard by participating in the vote.
In Solidarity | USW Local 2010 Bargaining Committee 2022
Connie Boisvert, Acclaimed Member
Sarah Bunting, Acclaimed Member
Catherine Landon, Appointed Member
Nathan Vatcher, Appointed Member
Kelly J. Orser, President, Chair, Co-Chief Spokesperson
Briana Broderick, Vice President and Co-Chief Spokesperson
Tina McKenna, Committee Assistant
John Goldthorp, USW District 6 Staff Representative
Richard Leblanc, USW District 6 Staff Representative
USW Local 2010 Ratification Presentation & Vote:
Meeting #1:
Date: Wednesday, July 20, 2022; 9:00am to 12:00pm
Agenda: presentation; Q&A; vote
Location: in-person; Biosciences Auditorium, or
via ZOOM
Meeting #2:
Date: Wednesday, July 20, 2022; 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Agenda: presentation; Q&A; vote
Location: in-person; Biosciences Auditorium, or
via ZOOM
Meeting #3:
Date: Thursday, July 21, 2022; 9:00am to 12:00pm
Agenda: presentation; Q&A; vote
Location: in-person; Biosciences Auditorium, or
via ZOOM
Login details for those attending via Zoom:
Log into the meeting between 8:45a.m. and 9:00a.m. OR 12:45pm and 1:00p.m to ensure that your technology is working, and to allow time for you to move from the waiting room to the meeting, as each USW Member will need to have their membership status verified. Please ensure your Zoom name is your first and last name before joining the zoom link. Once you have the meeting open, you can leave it running in the background and continue your regular work until the meeting begins.
Zoom link:
Join 1 of the USW Local 2010 Zoom Ratification Meeting(s) at:
| Meeting #1: | |
| Wednesday, July 20, 2022 from 9:00am – 12:00pm | |
| Join us in-person… Biosciences Auditorium (Presentation; Q&A; vote) Biosciences Atrium (Paper Ballot Vote) – leave the Biosciences Auditorium after the Q&A session is complete; ACCEPT the contract, or vote to STRIKE and | Join us via Zoom… (Presentation; Q&A; vote) Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 897 4149 6794 | One tap mobile Immediately following the Q&A session, Members participating online will be provided with a link (via the Zoom chat feature) for voting purposes. This link will open a new application that will allow individual Members to anonymously cast an electronic vote to either ACCEPT the contract, or vote to STRIKE and go back to the bargaining table |
| Meeting #2: | |
| Wednesday, July 20, 2022 from 1:00pm – 4:00pm | |
| Join us in-person… Biosciences Auditorium (Presentation; Q&A; vote) Biosciences Atrium (Paper Ballot Vote) – leave the Biosciences Auditorium after the Q&A session is complete; ACCEPT the contract, or vote to STRIKE and | Join us via Zoom… (Presentation; Q&A; vote) Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 837 0365 0353 | One tap mobile Dial by your location This link will open a new application that will allow individual Members to anonymously cast an electronic vote to either ACCEPT the contract, or vote to STRIKE and go back to the bargaining table |
| Meeting #3: | |
| Thursday, July 21, 2022 from 9:00am – 12:00pm | |
| Join us in-person… Biosciences Auditorium (Presentation; Q&A; vote) Biosciences Atrium (Paper Ballot Vote) – leave the Biosciences Auditorium after the Q&A session is complete; ACCEPT the contract, or vote to STRIKE and | Join us via Zoom… (Presentation; Q&A; vote) Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 849 5300 6147 | One tap mobile Dial by your location Immediately following the Q&A session, Members participating online will be provided with a link (via the Zoom chat feature) for voting purposes. This link will open a new application that will allow individual Members to anonymously cast an electronic vote to either ACCEPT the contract, or vote to STRIKE and go back to the bargaining table |
Missed the Town Halls? Click here for a copy of the slideshow presentation.
Please join us at one or both of the upcoming
Town Hall Meetings
#BargainforBetter
Highlights: Proposals. Negotiations. Issues. Conciliation. Strike Mandate.
Your USW Bargaining Committee invites all Steelworkers to a Town Hall Meeting to hear the latest details regarding negotiations, conciliation, proposals, issues of concern to the Membership, and how a strike mandate works.
Learn about the latest bargaining updates.
Time for questions will be allotted.
Given the low “in-person” turnout earlier this week, it has been decided to present this Town Hall Meeting via Zoom format only.
Login details:
Log into the meeting with your first and last name as your screen name, between 11:45am and 12:00pm to ensure that your technology is working, and to allow time for you to move from the waiting room to the meeting, as each USW Member will need to have their membership status verified. Once you have the meeting open, you can leave it running in the background and continue your regular work until the meeting begins.
| Monday, June 13, 2022 at 12:00pm | Thursday, June 16, 2022 at 12:00pm |
| In-person and via Zoom | via Zoom |
Bill 124 – Restricts Compensation Growth
Are you aware of this Bill and how it impacts you?
Summer 2022
Click here for update to date Bill 124 details (March 2023).
Your Bargaining Committee has proposed the following “Reopener Language with Respect to Compensation Issues” in light of Bill 124. To date, the Employer has indicated that they are not interested in considering any reopener language as it relates to compensation, if Bill 124 were to be rescinded/amended.
“The University and the Union have negotiated this Collective Agreement under the restrictions imposed by Bill 124. However, the legislation is undergoing a constitutional challenge. The Parties therefore agree to meet to reopen all compensation issues if the legislation is rescinded as a result of the legal challenge. In addition, the Parties agree to meet to reopen all compensation issues if this University is granted an exemption from the application of the legislation or if the relevant parts of the legislation are otherwise rescinded or amended.”
“The Employer does not agree” has been written on the Queen’s counter-proposals received to date on March 23, April 13, and May 30, 2022.
What is Bill 124?
The Ford government introduced/passed Bill 124, Protecting a Sustainable Public Sector for Future Generations Act, 2019, in October 2019. It is wage-suppression legislation that restricts compensation growth within the public/broader public sectors for all employees.
Applies to not-for-profit organizations that received at least $1 million in Ontario government funding in the fiscal year 2018-2019 (received by Queen’s University). It applies to both unionized and non-unionized employees.
It sets a 3-year moderation period during which there is a wage restraint or cap each year.
Increases to compensation are limited to a total of 1% (or less; below the rate of inflation) in each of the 3 moderation years. This also includes benefits and one-time payments.
Who is Impacted by Bill 124 at Queen’s
For Steelworkers this impacts our Scale Increase (aka cost-of-living; ATB increase, etc.).
Bill 124 is subject to exceptions for certain merit or performance increases, length of service, etc.
Local 2010 Members who are moving through the USW Deferred Wage Salary Grid during the 3-year moderation period, are still eligible to receive Step Increases in each year, if successfully bargained with the Employer.
Who is not Impacted by Bill 124 at Queen’s?
Bill 124 does not apply to “designated executives within the meaning of the Broader Public Sector Executive Compensation Act, 2014”. Essentially, it applies to employees only, not employers (management).
For personnel at Queen’s this means it does not apply to:
- Senior Leadership,
- Salary Grades 10-14, or,
- Grades 8-9 who are excluded from a bargaining unit because they are “deemed a Manager”.
Queen’s has made no announcements to date as to whether or not they will adopt a “same as you” or “parity” policy and pay the personnel noted above in accordance with Bill 124 parameters; essentially 1% per year for 3 years the same as Steelworkers.
Your Bargaining Committee is still negotiating language proposals; monetary proposals yet to be discussed.
Our Bargaining Rights
For unionized employees, the moderation period begins automatically from the first day of the first Collective Agreement negotiated after June 5, 2019.
During the moderation period, Collective Bargaining is also limited, as Bill 124 restricts our right to bargain both wages and new entitlements.
The Ford government has made it very challenging for Steelworkers this round of bargaining, as they have prevented us from freely negotiating with Queen’s.
USW and other unions (Coalition of Ontario Unions) have put forward a legal challenge to this legislation.
To date, the Employer is relying on Bill 124 to limit any entitlements/gains for this round of bargaining (both monetary and non-monetary).
Enforcement
Bill 124 also prohibits employers from providing increases to salary or compensation before or after the 3-year moderation period to make up for amounts that would otherwise have been paid during the moderation period (“anti-avoidance measures”).
Significant compliance powers to Ontario Treasury Board (penalties/sanctions against employers).
The Minister of Labour can order the cancellation of Collective Agreements or Arbitration Awards/Rulings inconsistent with Bill 124.
No meaningful change to Provincial Budget
Provincial funding is allocated on a per-student basis, not wages of employees. On average, provincial funding represents only one-third (⅓) of university revenue in Ontario.
Wage increases in university sector will have negligible impact on provincial deficit, both pre-and-post pandemic.
Proposals for your Review:
In the interest of engaging as many Steelworkers as possible during the bargaining process, your Bargaining Committee is sharing the language proposals they have developed on your behalf.
Click here to view these proposals.
Monetary proposals to be developed later this month to align with the bargaining process.
Questions and comments about proposals can be directed to: contact@usw2010.ca.
Below are a collection of Survey #1 responses
Focus: job postings/recruitment, career mobility, workload, overtime, and lieu time issues
Below are a collection of Survey #2 responses
Focus: RWAs (Remote Work Arrangements), Mental Health in the Workplace and Work-Life Balance
Your Bargaining Committee is developing a series of short surveys (~9-11 minutes). Please watch your Queen’s email (check your junk mail folder) for more details.
It’s time to negotiate a better Collective Agreement
There is no better place to make your voice heard than at the Bargaining table. Collective bargaining is one of the most important forms of democracy and employee power that exists in our country. By bargaining together rather than individually, employees like us can shape what happens in our workplace. We get a voice in how we exchange our skills and abilities for benefits, wages, and equitable, safe, and healthy working conditions.
FIRST Short Survey | Focus: Workload, Overtime, Lieu Time, Job Postings, etc.
The first bargaining survey was sent to the Membership on March 3, 2022 and closed on March 9, 2022.
It focused on job postings/recruitment, workload, overtime, and lieu time issues.
Comments from Members are being shared to the Membership on our Local 2010 Facebook and Instagram pages so that everyone is aware of the issues or concerns on these topics. Be sure to follow us on these pages.
SECOND Short Survey | Focus: RWAs, Mental Health, Work-Life Balance
This bargaining survey will be released the week of March 21st and will close Friday, March 25th at 5:00pm. This survey should take approximately 8-10 minutes to complete.
It focuses on Remote Work Arrangements, mental health in the workplace, and work-life balance for Members.
Please watch your Queen’s email often (check your junk mail folder weekly) for more details so you can participate in this important process.
Comments from Members for this short survey will also be shared to our Local 2010 Facebook and Instagram pages so that everyone is aware of the issues or concerns on these topics. Be sure to follow us on these pages.
FINAL Short Survey | Focus: Bill 124 Implications, Contracting Out, Alternative Compensation
This bargaining survey is currently on hold due to issues with our Union emails reaching @queensu.ca email address inboxes.
It will focus on Bill 124 Implications, contracting out our bargaining Unit work, alternative compensation methods, etc., for Members.
Please watch your Queen’s email often (check your junk mail folder weekly) for more details so you can participate in this important process.
Comments from Members for this short survey will also be shared to our Local 2010 Facebook and Instagram pages so that everyone is aware of the issues or concerns on these topics. Be sure to follow us on these pages.
Collective Agreement
The 2010 Collective Agreement for General Support Staff expired December 31, 2021.
Notice to the Employer
The Union delivered our notice to bargain to the Employer in October 2021, 90 days before the expiration of the agreement, in accordance with the Labour Relations Act.
It’s time to negotiate a better Collective Agreement
The role of the bargaining committee is to negotiate the best possible collective agreement that reflects the priorities of the membership.
Bargaining Committee Composition
There will be 7 positions on the Bargaining Committee, the President plus 6 Members, with 3 alternates. An alternate will replace a committee member in the event that a member cannot fulfill their duties. The election will establish the 6 committee positions and alternates.
Eligibility
To be eligible for election to the Bargaining Committee, Members must be in ‘good standing‘, meaning they must be dues-paying members of the Local 2010 bargaining unit (Support Staff).
Bargaining Committee Responsibilities
- Survey the membership regarding bargaining issues;
- Development, review and revision of bargaining proposals;
- Ensure members’ priorities and concerns are reflected in the proposals;
- Attend negotiations at the bargaining table as a key part of the union team;
- Decide which proposals to withdraw, which ones to revise and which ones to retain during negotiations;
- Recommend acceptance or rejection of a tentative agreement and explain to the membership how their priorities and concerns are reflected in the settlement.
Bargaining Committee Nominations & Elections
The nomination period for Bargaining Committee Membership opened August 31, 2021 and closed on Thursday, September 9, 2021. Five nominations/self-nominations were submitted by the deadline. Based on this, all nominations received were verified for eligibility and acclaimed. No election process was necessary.
Committee Composition
There are normally 7 positions on the Bargaining Committee; President plus 6 elected/acclaimed Members and 3 alternates. An alternate can replace a committee member in the event that a member is unable to fulfill their duties.
As per the USW Constitution, the USW Executive Board is able to appoint a 7th Committee Member and up to 3 alternate committee positions. Additional appointments have now been finalized. Please review the details below to see who will be representing you this round of bargaining with the Employer.
Connie Boisvert
My name is Connie Boisvert. I have worked at Queen’s University for 11 years. I began my career at Queen’s as a Senior Front Desk Representative with the Residence Department, Housing and Ancillary Services Department.
About me, I like to make a point of creating a positive inclusive work environment. In 2016, and for the following 4 years, I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Queen’s Event Services in a Career Development Position. I very much enjoyed my time with the Event Services Team. I am proud to be a member of the Bargaining Committee to help USW achieve a fair and beneficial contract between the Membership and our Employer.
During my time here I have noticed some items I would like to suggest be included in our Collective Agreement. This would be my first hands on experience with bargaining, but I am confident I am up for the challenge. I recently was involved in preparing a JCQ Appeal for myself and my coworkers with the same job description. I have enjoyed working through this process and know I would be a good candidate for the bargaining committee.
I do appreciate the importance of unions and am grateful for this challenge and opportunity to participate in the process of negotiations.
Briana Broderick
Briana Broderick has served USW Local 2010 in a full-time capacity since 2014. She is currently the full time Vice President and Senior Grievance Officer, whose main portfolios include grievances, arbitrations and settlements, and return to work and accommodation, as well as Member Services.
Bri served on the 2015, and 2018 Bargaining Committees, and acted as a Co-Chief Negotiator for the 2020 USW 2010-01 Academic Assistant Collective Agreement bargaining. She was also a key player during the recent Job Evaluation grievance settlement and negotiations. Having experienced several rounds of bargaining as a committee member and having acted as a Co-Chief Negotiator during the latest AA bargaining, in addition to her daily work of negotiating individual Minutes of Settlement, Minutes of Agreement and Minutes of Understanding, Bri feels that she has a unique skill set that would be an asset to the bargaining team.
Further, as a full-time officer, Bri is aware of the issues surrounding some of the articles in the Collective Agreement, as well as areas of deficit that need to be addressed. Outside of the Local, Bri serves as the Next Generation and Political Action Coordinator for District 6. Bri has an HBA BEd/IS from Lakehead University and an MA in History from Queen’s. She is very excited at the prospect of representing her union in bargaining!
Sarah Bunting
Hello! My name is Sarah, and I am very excited to be running to serve on USW’s upcoming Bargaining Committee. I’ve worked at Queen’s for about 5 years now and have served on the USW Executive during this time as Guide, and now as Recording Secretary. I have also served as a USW Steward for the past 3 years. I currently work in the Faculty of Arts & Science, Student Services Division as the Academic Consideration Manager, but have worked in multiple departments at Queen’s, which helps me to understand the different landscapes our employees experience. Being a Steward has also helped me to understand the common issues and difficulties faced by staff members on our campus.
I think I would be a great candidate to represent USW in the upcoming bargaining committee as advocacy is my passion! I’m a strong advocate for equity staff groups on campus and am on the organizing committees for two ERGs, Queen’s Women’s Network (QWN) and Queen’s University Association for Queer Employees (QUAQE). I currently oversee QWN’s mentorship program and was instrumental in the revival of the QUAQE group over the last 2 years. I also am just starting my term on the Senate Educational Equity Committee, and just finished my term on the Built Environment Advisory Group (BEAG) where I advised on new builds and large projects on campus to ensure accessibility of the built environment in these projects.
If elected to the bargaining committee, I am passionate to hear your input on what types of changes our members want to see brought forward. I have strong advocacy, persuasion and negotiation skills built through my previous experiences and will be able to use these to help us negotiate our next collective agreement. If you have any questions or want to let me know what you think is important in this upcoming round of bargaining, please contact me at recording.secretary@usw2010.ca!
Nathan Vatcher
Nathan Vatcher is on a full-time release from the Student Awards department with the Office of the University Registrar to work at the Local Office as the Office Administrator and Financial Secretary. Previous to the OUR, Nathan held a position with the Smith School of Business.
Nathan graduated from Queen’s Arts & Science in 2012 with a B.A in Sociology and spent most of his twenties travelling, living in various areas of Canada and exploring different work industries and work models. Nathan worked for the University of Toronto for 2 years with Athletics & Recreation administration as well as for a national non-profit organization called Paddle Canada, Canada’s governing body for recreational paddle sports and water safety.
Nathan is very passionate about work/life balance and mental health wellness of staff. He is also very intrigued by new work trends emerging post-pandemic, particularly in the Gen Z and Millennial worker cohorts.
Nathan looks forward to taking his 4 year Queen’s undergraduate student experience, 2 year University of Toronto staff, 4 years of working in various industries and 1 year Queen’s support staff lived experience to provide insight on how the employer can develop new best practices to attract and retain talent and enhance worker well-being moving forward.
He is honoured to represent you in this year’s collective bargaining.
Catherine Landon
Hello! My name is Catherine Landon (she/her). I have worked at Queen’s University for 20 years and have spent the last 18 of those years with Housing & Ancillary Services, Residence Life & Service in the role of Administrative Secretary.
I am so very excited to be joining the USW 2010 Bargaining Committee and to have the opportunity to contribute to positive, impactful change. I am passionate about employee equity and fairness and employee mental health. I am so very interested in the changing work-scape post-pandemic (emerging work trends, hybrid home-office work arrangements, technology & training, etc.) and how we can implement an improved work-life balance into our employment.
The USW 2010 Bargaining Committee will mark my first hands-on committee experience with our union and I look forward to learning and working hard for you.
Assistance | Support
Kelly J. Orser
President, Bargaining Committee Chair, and Co-Chief Spokesperson
Briana Broderick
Vice-President & Senior Grievance Officer, and Co-Chief Spokesperson
John Goldthorp
USW Staff Representative
Tina McKenna
Bargaining Committee Assistant and Member Services Coordinator
Local 2010 (Support Staff)
Local 2010 Collective Agreement
January 1, 2019 – December 31, 2021
USW Local 2010 Salary Grid – Effective July 1, 2021
Initial Appointment – Article 30.03 The starting wage on initial appointment of a new employee will be not less than Step 1 of the applicable
pay grade. To recognize previous relevant experience Human Resources may set a new employee’s
starting salary up to the maximum Step of the applicable Grade on the Salary Grid.
Promotions – Article 30.06 (iii) At its discretion the Employer may place the employee at a higher Step in the new pay grade.
