Collective Bargaining Update – June 8
The following update was also emailed to UPEI employees on June 8, 2026.
This update provides a brief overview of current progress on collective bargaining and the work underway at each table.
UPEI Faculty Association (UPEIFA)
UPEI began negotiations on Friday, May 29, 2026, towards new collective agreements with the UPEIFA, with three days of bargaining now completed. On the opening day, the parties exchanged non-monetary proposals and began substantive discussions. In addition, UPEI shared its established bargaining principles with the Association, which underpin the University’s approach at the bargaining table:
- Our collective bargaining and labour relations decisions support the University’s mission and vision, reflect our values, and enhance a culture of trust, safety, and inclusion.
- We will engage union counterparts with integrity, civility, and respect, and require the same from our employees and their union representatives.
- As a major employer in Charlottetown and across PEI, we value our people and the critical work they perform to support the University’s mission and vision.
- We respect the role of unions and are committed to building healthy, trusting, and constructive relationships with them.
- We strive to reach agreements with unions that are fair and equitable while operationally and fiscally sustainable.
CUPE 501
UPEI recently received Notice to Bargain from CUPE 501, and negotiations are scheduled from August 10–13, 2026.
PSAC
UPEI recently received Notice to Bargain from our two Public Service Alliance of Canada bargaining units, PSAC 86000, and a bargaining unit representing post-doctoral research associates. We expect negotiations to commence soon.
UPEI remains committed to respectful, good faith bargaining and to reaching agreements that are fair for employees and sustainable for the University. Further updates will be shared as negotiations progress. For more information and to see previous updates, visit the UPEI Labour Relations web pages.
