Signed, sealed and delivered! After a year of bargaining, Université Laval’s post-doctoral fellows, who are members of the Syndicat des travailleuses et travailleurs étudiants et postdoctoraux de l’Université Laval (STEP), have signed their collective agreement. On November 12, the union met with the employer for the official signing.
“I’d like to acknowledge the high standard of bargaining that led to the signing of this new contract. Discussions were open and respectful, and we’re pleased to have charted a path that’s in both parties’ interest,” said Yvon Barrière, PSAC-Quebec Executive Vice-President.
The new collective agreement includes a significant increase of the minimum wage and wage increases of:
- 2.5% for 2024;
- 2.7% for 2025;
- 3% for 2026.
It also includes:
- three additional days of annual leave;
- improved wording on the duration of internships to encourage lead researchers to offer longer internships;
- improved evaluation process for employees on probation, which now includes written evaluation and clear evaluation objectives;
- a new three-month notice period for internship renewal;
- automated leave without pay on compassionate grounds;
- use of employer’s premises free of charge for union meetings.