The Queen’s community let out a collective sigh of relief when a tentative agreement was struck between Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Locals and the University, averting potential labour disruptions. But it’s time we re-evaluated who we stand behind.
This Feb. 3 would’ve seen 1,100 Queen’s workers walk off the job in a strike, until the University and CUPE reached an agreement at the 11th hour. While this is a victory worth celebrating, it stings to know better working conditions and fair wages for some of campus’s hardest workers are even a question on the table.
CUPE is the largest union in Canada, representing over 750,000 working across a variety of sectors. Specifically, the union advocates for workers who deliver public services to ensure they’re safe and healthy at work. At Queen’s, this concerns tradespeople, maintenance workers, caretakers, custodians, library and lab technicians.
This successful negotiation demonstrates that union strength can and will fight for fair and equitable compensation. A win here rings optimistic bells for a positive ratification process and further impacts on other unions still waiting to reach negotiations. On the other hand, it’s a wake-up call for students to recognize that a pivotal responsibility for advocacy lies here with us, too.
When negotiations were up in the air, the subject of potential disruptions made students wary of significant drawbacks in their university experience. Disruptions undoubtedly pose an inconvenience to students’ learning, enjoyment of services, environments, and social activities. In departments such as Queen’s Film & Media—run by many CUPE —a strike would mean halting all equipment rentals and production
But it shouldn’t only be in the face of losing things that we recognize the work and efforts of public employees. On the other side of these inconveniences are those fighting for basic working rights. We must take the potential strikes as a moment to reflect on how we can show for those performing the work we depend on.
The Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) sent out an e-mail on Jan. 30 informing students of changes to on-campus activities in the event of a strike. Due to a reduction in cleaning and waste collection operations, event organizers were instructed to “leave booked spaced in the state they found them in.” istration can erase the smallest roles played by public workers, but it still stands true that nothing at the University would be the way it is, without them.
A failure to notice workers and their contributions feeds into an already rife culture of disrespect for workers on campus, especially custodial staff and caretakers. Whether it’s students in first-year residences who damage property for a laugh, or those who act rude or entitled to services without acknowledging the labour behind them.
Efforts to curb disrespectful student behaviour for workers are missing at Queen’s. The University carries a role in promoting appreciation for their workers, but they can’t be a proper model of conduct when it’s clear they haven’t gathered the respect.
Public workers are the backbone of the University’s health and operation—they shouldn’t feel unsafe or treated poorly at their place of work. It’s time we fostered an environment of mutual respect that reflects this relationship, and leaves the University in a better state than we found it in.
—Journal Editorial Board
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