Bargaining for Support Staff | 2024

Notice to the Employer
The Union will deliver our Notice to Bargain to the Employer ~90 days before the expiration of the Collective Areement, in accordance with the Labour Relations Act.

Indigo *Indy Bunting
Since moving to Kingston for a Career Counsellor position at Queen’s, in 2017, I have served on the Executive Board in positions including Guide, Recording Secretary, and Vice-President.  I’ve always had a passion for advocacy, policy and the impact of language, which lead me to serve on 2 Bargaining Committees for the Support Staff unit.  In 2018/2019 bargaining, we made notable gains including a compressed wage grid, a new Article on Domestic & Family Violence, and a MOA on the recognition of Indigenous Peoples.  While on the Bargaining Committee in 2020/2021, despite Bill 124 restrictions, we made notable language gains including increased workload protections, new articles on job-evaluation and pay equity, and increases to the Child Care and Tuition Funds.

My work experience at Queen’s in both shared services (DSA), and a faculty office (FAS) provides me insight on the diversity of our membership’s roles and experiences. At Queen’s I am also highly involved in equity initiatives including having sat on the Senate Educational Equity Committee and being a founding member of QUAQE.

In July 2022 I began working full-time at the Union and held the position of Grievance Officer until September 2023 when I was appointed Vice-President. Throughout both roles, I have gained in-depth understanding of common issues faced by our membership, and the meaningful impacts that our Collective Agreement has on member’s everyday lives.  I believe that bargaining is the Union’s best opportunity for progress, especially in the difficult climate at Queen’s and across post-secondary institutions.

Casey Coleman
My name is Casey Coleman, and I am seeking your support for a position on the Collective Bargaining Committee at Queen’s University. Over the past seven years, I have had the privilege of working in the Finance Department at the Queen’s Faculty of Education. This experience has equipped me with a deep understanding of the financial mechanisms that underpin our institution’s operations. I hold the designation of Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), which complements my financial expertise with strong skills in strategic planning and project execution. These competencies are critical when it comes to effective collective bargaining, where fiscal responsibility and strategic foresight are paramount.

My professional journey includes co-chairing a committee tasked with reimagining the performance dialogue process for employees within the grade 2-9 levels at our faculty. This role required heavy collaboration with employees from all units at our Faculty to gain a deep understanding of their concerns and desires related to the process. Running the committee in such a way allowed us to advocate for fair and transparent performance evaluations.

As a candidate for the Collective Bargaining Committee, I bring a wealth of financial knowledge that is essential for negotiating contracts that are both fair and sustainable. My ability to analyze financial data, forecast budgetary impacts, and understand the broader economic context will be invaluable in ensuring that our negotiations are grounded in sound financial principles. I am committed to leveraging my financial literacy to advocate for fair compensation, benefits, and working conditions for all staff. With a balanced approach that considers both the needs of our employees and the financial health of our institution, I believe we can achieve outcomes that support a thriving and equitable work environment.

Thank you for considering my candidacy. Together, we can ensure a fair and financially responsible future for Queen’s University. 

Spencer Downey
Hello, I’m Spencer Downey.

I’ve worked at Queen’s Smith School of Business since 2014. I work as a Videoconferencing Systems Specialist. I facilitate broadcasts of the PGPS supported Executive Education programs, in other words I’ve sat in on MBA classes for the past 10 years. I am seeking election to the bargaining committee because I feel we need a strong representation from all positions on campus. Smith has lacked transparency with its employees and we haven’t been the best at reporting and actioning their bad faith to our union. Since the pandemic I have tried to engage more with USW on a regular basis, working with coworkers and encouraging fellow union members at Smith to engage more with USW.

In my off time I host a podcast called The Starting Zone. I started it in 2016 and grown it to a reach of over 80,000 regular listeners each month. A large part of being the host and producer is fostering a community, being a leader who hears and responds to feedback in a considered and respectful manner. I often deal with conflict, varied personalities and the need to work as a team to accomplish a goal. Before working at Queens, I worked with IATSE Local 471 as a theatrical technician, I am still a member in good standing. This work taught me how to stay calm under the pressures of live performance, working towards a common goal as a team and executing a plan.

Thank you for your consideration.

Michael Farrell
My name is Mike, and I’m an IT analyst at the School of Business. I’ve been a member of USW, and Queens staff for over a decade.

Those of you in a technology role, as well as those working at the school of business likely already know me but for those of you who don’t: I am an analytical and detail-oriented individual with a proven track record of finding solutions to complex problems. I am also known for my tenacity and willingness to fight for what I believe in, especially when I feel that our collective rights have been infringed upon (as is the case with our current collective agreement).

I would be honored to have the opportunity to represent you, and I pledge to do my best to ensure we all get the collective agreement / contract that we deserve!

Amanda Gray
Hello! I’m Amanda Gray, and I’ve been a proud member of USW Local 2010 since starting at Queen’s in 2018. I’m excited to be running for the USW Bargaining Committee because I believe in the power of unity. With over 20 years of experience in Ontario’s post-secondary sector and having been part of three different unions, I’ve seen how important member involvement is to our collective strength. As we approach this next round of collective bargaining, our voices and support will be more important than ever.

As a Contract Action Team (CAT) volunteer with USW Local 2010, I’ve had the chance to connect with fellow members, discussing our union’s efforts and understanding the challenges and concerns that we all have. My hope is to ensure that we maximize benefits for every member through clear and open communication.

Effective communication and transparency are essential, not only to keep members informed but also to allow everyone to share their ideas and concerns. By fostering an environment of open dialogue, we can help ensure that our union enters the bargaining process from a position of strength.

I care deeply about this bargaining process and am committed to representing your interests as best as I can. Let’s work together to build an even stronger union. I would be honored to have your vote to serve as one of your representatives on the USW Bargaining Committee. Thank you for your support! 

Simon Handley
Simon is an experienced Druid who wishes to right the wrongs that have been inflicted upon staff since he has been working at the University for the last 3.5 years.  Since observing the differences in how some are compensated at the expense of others, it is his civic duty and responsibility which has led him to be nominated by others because of his ability to light a fire and keep it burning.

As a fire keeper for the people of Turtle island, Simon will bring Fairness, equality, equity, inclusion, acceptance, accountability and responsibility to the bargaining committee to help get us closer to having an adequate work life balance, a fair deal, and to return to being proud workers at Queen’s who can afford to not go to the food bank while we are asked to fill food donation boxes for our peers or ourselves.

Simon is a very engaging networker who punches above his weight class and is on a lifelong quest to help others through support and service.  Imagine if all the decision makers thought in this same way?  Top down doesn’t work, bottom up doesn’t work, let’s try sideways!

Using humanity, technology, music and shared experiences, he will work tirelessly to advocate for everyone in the USW and bring us closer to parity with what we are worth.

Simon is a behaviourist, a local musician who has toured North America, a Technology Enthusiast, a lover of music and arts, a dog whisperer, and a nature boy.

Wendy Morrison
Hello, I am Wendy Morrison, a mental health therapist with Student Wellness Services.  This upcoming round of bargaining is happening at a critical time for all of us staff who are essential to the university’s operation.  We need to collectively take a stand to ensure the institution recognizes the integral role we play.  I believe a strong bargaining team will help our collective voices to be heard.

I am relatively new to Queen’s – I have only been here a few years, but I am invested in playing an active role to ensure our voices are heard and our value is recognized. We need a collective agreement that reflects our value.

I have a 30-year history of working in the non-profit sector in a variety of roles – front line, unionized, and management.  It helped me cultivate both a breadth and depth of understanding of what contributes to a healthy work environment.   As importantly, it helped me develop my skills in several areas that would be useful to the negotiating team, namely strategic engagement, leadership, and thoughtful and critical listening to members.

Although new to Queen’s I am not new to labour/management relations. I served as a member of the management bargaining team at my last workplace, and as a representative to our union-management relations committee.   These experiences would enrich my ability to fulfill my role as a USW 2010 bargaining committee member.

I would be honoured to represent your voices at the bargaining table.

Anita Ragunathan
I was recently hired at Queen’s as the Program Administrative Coordinator in the Black Studies program. One of the key responsibilities of this position is a commitment to social justice and social change which I demonstrate through my dedication to working class politics. In my previous position at a publishing house in Toronto, I was involved in organizing efforts to unionize the staff. Outside of the workplace, I volunteered with Unity Kitchen: a community service kitchen that provides drop-in programs, take-out meals, clothing, hygiene and harm reduction supplies to unhoused people. Since moving to Kingston, I immediately became involved in similar local efforts including working with the tenants’ union and peace council. This work has given me the opportunity to speak to working class Kingstonians about their concerns with housing, the affordability crisis, military spending and other important issues. It has also allowed me to collaborate with other advocates on developing housing policies that work for everyone, write clear and persuasive petitions, and present delegations at City Council.  I want to join the bargaining committee because the staff at this University deserve better. They deserve not to worry about losing their jobs, they deserve consistency in their job descriptions and workloads, they deserve to be consulted on changes that affect them — they deserve so much more because they keep Queen’s running. I’m excited by the opportunity to work with my Union colleagues to bargain strong and hard for workers’ rights.

Ahmer Shahzad
Hi everyone, my name is Ahmer Shahzad!

I have worked with Queen’s since August 2021, focusing on Finance, Administration, Payroll & HR.

I had the opportunity to be on the Advisory Committee to the bargaining team for the USW Local 2010-02 Residence Dons First Collective Agreement, which provided me with invaluable experience of the bargaining and negotiation process – I look to carry this experience into the USW 2010 negotiations.

Additionally, I am also taking strategic negotiation courses this year to advance my skill set.

We have a very unique opportunity to create the change we all want to see!

Lydia Skulstad
Thank you for considering me for a position on the USW 2010 Bargaining Committee. My name is Lydia Skulstad (she/her), and I am a settler living in Cataraqui – Kingston. I have been an employee at Queen’s and a USW 2010 member for almost four years, working in the division of student affairs in a shared appointment between the Queen’s University International Centre and Student Academic Success Services. I have lived and worked in three countries, and my career has focused on supporting people to reach their academic and professional goals. I am also the mother of two school-aged children.

As support staff at Queen’s, our roles and our work are key to the success of students, faculty, and leadership. However, many support staff have reported feeling undervalued and disempowered. As a group, we continue to struggle with the effects of a cost-of-living crisis and bill 124, without the opportunity to reopen our 2022-2024 collective agreement.

Advocacy has been an important part of my career roles, as I have supported individuals and groups to have their voices heard and pushed for system change.

I would be honoured to use these skills to advocate for you and a collective agreement that recognizes the importance of your work.

Toni Thornton
Hello friends, colleagues, and comrades: I have been supporting instructors and leading teams in instructional design and curriculum development at Queen’s since 2016. I collaboratively design, develop, and revise online and blended courses at the Faculty of Arts and Science, and consult with instructors on pedagogical and “sticky” issues during course delivery. I am committed to anti-oppressive and emancipatory work and actively engage with these principles in course design, special projects, presentations/workshops, service work, and working groups at Queen’s (including QUAQE, PAGGAS, and FAS Faculty Board). In addition to my experience in instructional design, I have over 20 years of experience teaching, designing curricula for, and managing educational programs for children, youth, and adults in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors, both in Canada and abroad. I hold two Master’s degrees and two undergraduate degrees (Education, Philosophy), and I am a certified teacher. In my spare time, I coach junior roller derby and am passionate about mutual aid and solidarity work in the community.

I have supported the development of several employment relations courses, including those that focus specifically on unions, negotiation, bargaining, employment law, and conflict management. While this is not my formal background, I have learned a great deal about relevant frameworks, theories, strategies, and practices. I am interested in being on the USW Bargaining Committee in service to the union and our members. I am strongly committed to the labour movement, and I am inspired by the power that workers have when they act collectively.

Zachery Grignet
I’ve been in local 2010 as part of the IT team at the Faculty of Education since May 2020 and have been volunteering within our union since August 2022.

My volunteer experience within our union includes:

–USW International Policy Conference (August 2022). Experienced and learned about the International, National, and Local structure of our union and the potential bargaining power that this structure provides.

–Executive Board member since September 2022, which has provided me with an understanding and appreciation of regular union business.

–Union Representative (USW Stewards in Action I & II training), which provides me with context for the wants, needs, and struggles within our union.

–Eastern Ontario Area Council meeting (November 2022), where I received labour related training and examples of challenges faced by other USW locals across the region.

–Canadian Labour Congress Lobby Days, where I received training on lobbying and experience negotiating with an MP in Ottawa on behalf of our union.

–Organizing for Power’s Core Fundamentals 6-week training course, which has provided knowledge and practice for organizing powerful campaigns.

I want to be a part of this bargaining committee because I feel it is my duty to serve my community and improve the conditions in my community. I have demonstrated leadership experience, a strong sense of justice,  I have experience within our Union’s ecosystem, and the desire to genuinely listen to others. For these reasons, I would be honored to serve the membership on this bargaining committee.

Kelly J. Orser
President, Bargaining Committee Chair, and Co-Chief Spokesperson

Briana Broderick
Co-Chief Spokesperson and USW Staff Representative

Syed Akhtar
USW Staff Representative

Name
Bargaining Committee Resource Assistant

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.