In recent years, there has been a growing awareness and advocacy for fair and equitable treatment of employees, including those in the academic sector. One important tool that helps to ensure this fairness is the collective agreement. In this article, we will take a closer look at the collective agreement at Queen`s University in Kingston, Ontario.
What is a collective agreement?
A collective agreement is a legally binding document that outlines the terms and conditions of employment for a group of workers. It is negotiated between the employer and the employees’ union or bargaining agent. The collective agreement covers a range of topics, including compensation, benefits, working conditions, grievance procedures, and job security.
What is the Queen`s University collective agreement?
The Queen`s University collective agreement is an agreement between the university and the Queen`s University Faculty Association (QUFA). QUFA represents approximately 1,200 full-time and part-time faculty members, librarians, and archivists at the university.
The current collective agreement, which is in effect from July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2020, was negotiated through a process of collective bargaining between the university and QUFA. The agreement covers a wide range of topics, including salary, benefits, workload, and academic freedom.
Key provisions of the Queen`s University collective agreement
1. Salary – The collective agreement sets out the salary scales for members of QUFA. Salaries are based on rank and years of experience, and are increased annually in accordance with the agreement.
2. Benefits – The agreement provides a range of benefits to members of QUFA, including health and dental coverage, life insurance, and retirement benefits.
3. Workload – The collective agreement sets out the workload expectations for members of QUFA. This includes the number of courses or equivalent workload units that members are expected to teach each year, as well as the amount of time allotted for research and other professional activities.
4. Academic freedom – The collective agreement guarantees academic freedom to members of QUFA. This means that members have the right to teach, conduct research, and publish their findings without fear of censorship or retaliation.
5. Grievance procedures – The collective agreement includes a grievance procedure that allows members of QUFA to seek redress for perceived violations of the agreement. This includes the right to seek mediation and arbitration in the event of a dispute.
Why is the collective agreement important?
The collective agreement is an important tool for ensuring fair and equitable treatment of employees. It provides a framework for negotiating salaries, benefits, and working conditions, and it protects employees from arbitrary treatment or discrimination.
For members of QUFA, the collective agreement is particularly important because it guarantees academic freedom and provides a mechanism for resolving disputes. This helps to ensure that faculty members, librarians, and archivists can carry out their work without fear of censorship or retaliation.
In conclusion, the Queen`s University collective agreement is an important tool for ensuring fair and equitable treatment of members of QUFA. It provides a framework for negotiating salaries, benefits, and working conditions, and it protects employees from arbitrary treatment or discrimination. By upholding the collective agreement, Queen`s University can continue to attract and retain top talent in the academic field.