Wednesday night, the Syndicat des étudiant-e-s employé-e-s de l’UQAM (SÉTUE), which represents around 5,000 members every year, voted overwhelmingly in favour of a 20-day strike mandate that can be called in due course. The collective agreement covering teaching, research, and logistical and academic support assistants expired on December 31, 2024.
“Negotiations have been dragging on for nine months. Now, members have given us a clear mandate to get things moving. We have the most precarious jobs at UQAM. We deserve fair wages that take our actual living conditions into account. We won’t budge on anything,” said Leïla, a SÉTUE member.
Bargaining stalled in late June, when UQAM tabled what it called a “global and final” offer that fell far short of SÉTUE’s expectations. To revive talks and reach a satisfactory agreement, SÉTUE filed for conciliation with the Ministère du Travail. The first session was on September 19, and two more are scheduled for October 1 and 8.
The main issues still in dispute are:
- An accessible multi-faith prayer room
- Accessible washrooms
- Full retro pay for everyone
- Financial recognition for two degrees
- Wage increases on par with inflation that will ensure members’ quality of life over the term of the collective agreement
“There’s still work to be done, and UQAM needs to know that we’re taking this seriously. PSAC fully supports SÉTUE members in their fight for decent working and living conditions,” said Sébastien Paquette, Executive Vice-President for PSAC-Quebec.