UPEI celebrates signing of new collective agreement with IBEW Local 1928
The University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) marked an important milestone on Monday, April 27, 2026, with a special event held to celebrate successful negotiations and the signing of a new collective agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1928.
IBEW Local 1928 represents utility workers, maintenance repairmen, electricians, and service workers at UPEI. University leaders and union representatives and members gathered to acknowledge the positive impact the renewed agreement will have on employees and the broader campus community, reflecting a shared commitment to fostering a supportive and collaborative workplace.
Dr. Jane Ngobia, UPEI Vice-President, People and Culture, opened the celebration, expressing her gratitude to the union members and the bargaining teams involved.
“Signing this agreement today that stipulates how we shall work together, it occurred to me that we are truly Treaty people. We are signing to work in peace, friendship, honour, and respect because that’s who we are,” said Dr. Ngobia. “On behalf of the University, I want to extend my sincere thanks to IBEW members and the bargaining teams for a positive, cordial, and respectful process.”
In thanking the union members for everything they do for the campus community and all they have accomplished, Dr. Ngobia shared that their contributions matter and the impact that they have on students and others is significant and lasting.
Jim Sponagle, IBEW Local 1928 Business Manager, said that this was the first signing of its kind between UPEI and IBEW Local 1928 in more than 11 years, and he credited Dr. Ngobia for helping bring the agreement together.
Sponagle expressed appreciation to the UPEI senior administrative team, UPEI Human Resources, and both negotiating teams, emphasizing that all parties approached the process with clear mandates and a shared understanding of what needed to be accomplished. He highlighted the speed of the negotiations—completed in less than two days—as particularly impressive. He described the outcome as a strong collective agreement.
Todd MacInnis, IBEW Agent, shared that he had been in involved in several collective agreements, and this is the first time there has been a ceremony for the occasion.
“This celebration is excellent and so great to see, and I thank you all for being here,” he said. “It was also great to see such a respectful negotiation process. Every part of it was very open and honest, and there was good communication on everything that we needed to discuss. It was very refreshing.”
Kelly Drummond, Associate Vice-President Human Resources, echoed that sentiment, saying that, as a member of the UPEI bargaining team, working with the IBEW team through the process was a positive experience. She thanked both teams and acknowledged other union members in attendance for supporting their colleagues and coming to celebrate together in unity.
