Queen’s University, and the Public Service Alliance of Canada and its Local 901 (Unit1) (“PSAC”), have successfully ratified a tentative agreement for a first collective agreement for graduate students employed as research assistants (“Graduate Research Assistants”).
Graduate Research Assistants are now within the scope of the PSAC Unit 1 collective agreement that also includes graduate students employed as Teaching Assistants (TAs), JD and MD students employed as TAs, and Teaching Fellows (TFs). This collective agreement will be in effect until April 30, 2021. Other highlights include:
- Effective May 1, 2019, Graduate Research Assistants who are employed on that date will receive a 1.5% increase of the base hourly rate in their current individual employment contracts
- A payment of 3% of their base hourly rate, in lieu of benefits
- Effective May 1, 2020, a new base rate for Graduate Research Assistants will apply, $39.93/hour, plus 3% in lieu of benefits and 4% vacation pay, for a total of $42.73/hour
Negotiations began in June 2018 and the parties reached a tentative agreement on March 26, 2019.
The University values the contributions of its many employees and remains committed to the collective bargaining process.