QUFA Digest March 2026

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Hello QUFA Members,

Please see the March 2026 edition of Digest below.

Bargaining Updates

  • Bargaining Survey #2: The QUFA Bargaining Team is inviting you to respond to Bargaining Survey #2. This survey was informed by responses to Survey #1 (open text survey in Nov/Dec 2025). All responses are voluntary and anonymous and will be used to inform QUFA’s bargaining priorities. We estimate that the survey will take 3-5 minutes to complete. Survey link: https://queensu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cUqRQ1MtbdWv5dk
  • Special General Meeting on Bargaining: A Special GM has been scheduled for April 8, 2026 at 10:00am 1:00pm. This will be a virtual meeting via Zoom to discuss the bargaining mandate. RSVP to ep43@queensu.ca for the Zoom link.

Grievance Update

  • A new association grievance has been filed by QUFA in response to information about a new employer policy. The Faculty Relations Office has recently claimed that the Administration has adopted a blanket policy prohibiting the use of any recorded lectures at any time (even once or twice per month) when a course is deemed to be an “in person” course. Our position is that this blanket policy is unreasonable because it conflicts with Collective Agreement obligations and the Human Rights Code; the alleged policy demonstrates a failure to meet both the procedural and substantive elements of the employer’s Duty to Accommodate. 

Get Involved

  • Spring General Meeting: QUFA’s regular Spring General Meeting is scheduled for April 24, 2026 at 1pm on Zoom. Again, we will send more info soon. Please mark your calendars.
  • Nominations and Elections: Each year half of the Executive Committee positions are up for renewal and QUFA holds elections at the Spring General Meeting. This year, the positions up for renewal include: Treasurer, Secretary, Grievance Chair, JCAA Co-Chair, Equity Representative, Librarian & Archivist Representative, Continuing Adjunct Representative, and 1 Member at Large position. See Article 9.2 (p.8) and Bylaw No. 1 (A) (p. 17) for information on elections, nominations, and timelines. To nominate or self-nominate, or to inquire about nominations, please send a message to qufaed@queensu.ca
  • QUFA Caucuses:
    • BIPOC Caucus: Supports and advocates for members who are Black, Indigenous, or racialized and/or visible minorities. It is organized to collectively discuss workplace matters specific to QUFA’s BIPOC members and work towards racial equity in our workplace. Contact Co-Chairs Ayca Tomac (ayca.tomac@queensu.ca) or Norma Möllers (norma.mollers@queensu.ca) for more info.
    • Caregivers Caucus: Connects members involved in care responsibilities (e.g., young children, seniors, family members with disabilities) to share experiences, concerns, and resources. Contact QUFA Political Action and Communications Committee (PACC) Chair Vanessa Thompson (vt25@queensu.ca) for more info.
    • New Faculty Caucus: Connects recently appointed faculty (up to 5 years) to share experiences and concerns pertinent to new faculty. Contact QUFA PACC Chair Vanessa Thompson (vt25@queensu.ca) for more info.

For Your Information

Sincerely,

QUFA Staff