The start of the academic year at Concordia University is at risk as professional staff prepare to strike following nearly a year of stalled negotiations. The Concordia University Professional Employees Union (CUPEU–CSN), representing 600 members, has announced a strike set to begin on September 3, 2024, coinciding with the first day of classes for nearly 50,000 students.
The union entered conciliation with the university last winter, citing a lack of progress on key issues, particularly the framework for hybrid work arrangements. Despite efforts to negotiate, including the adoption of a two-week strike mandate in the spring, the university has yet to address the union’s concerns regarding the inequity in access to remote work across various departments.
Shoshana Kalfon, president of CUPEU–CSN, highlighted the core issue, stating, “At the moment, access to hybrid work is inequitable across the University. What we are requesting is to agree on a framework that avoids any inequity and to include a guarantee that professional employees can do part of their work from home.”
The potential strike involves employees holding essential roles in the university’s operations, including advisors, financial analysts, information technologists, and healthcare professionals. The impact of their absence could be significant during the critical back-to-school period.
Kathrin Peter, vice-president of the Fédération des professionnèles–CSN (FP–CSN), emphasized the importance of finding a solution that considers the needs of students, the university, and employees. “Nowadays, hybrid work is the standard for many professionals,” Peter said, suggesting that the university’s resistance to negotiate on this issue is out of step with current professional norms.
Union leaders have expressed their willingness to negotiate but remain firm in their stance. Dominique Daigneault, president of the Conseil central du Montréal métropolitain–CSN (CCMM–CSN), warned, “We hope that the employer hears the union loud and clear. Its members want to negotiate so they can avoid any negative consequences on the student population, but they will be ready to strike if it comes down to it.”
Adding to the tension is the university’s 2024 climate action plan, which encourages remote work to reduce the carbon footprint associated with commuting. The union has questioned how this plan aligns with the university’s current negotiating position.