Union for grad students on strike at Queen's
University says it remains open and classes continue
A union representing about 2,000 graduate students at Queen's University working as teaching fellows and teaching or research assistants is on strike as of Monday morning.
Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) Local 901 said in a statement Monday the university's pay and mental health benefit offer is too low and it's not satisfied with its response to the union's child-care proposals.
Queen's said in a Monday statement it "values the contributions of its employees and respects the collective bargaining process." CBC has asked it for comment on those specifics from the union.
The university said it is open and classes continue during the strike, but asked anyone going there to plan for delays because of picket lines.
Queen's said last month the last deal with this union expired at the end of April 2024 and the two sides had been meeting since November.
A labour ministry conciliator had not been able to help them find a deal by late February, according to the school, triggering the countdown to Monday's legal strike date.
Queen's was also negotiating with support staff under United Steelworkers and its Local 2010. The two sides said Sunday they had reached a tentative agreement.