Almost all universities across Canada have collective agreements with their faculty and staff, and negotiations are a routine part of the life cycle of collective agreements. The University of Prince Edward Island has collective agreements with three different unions (five bargaining units).

Our approach to the collective bargaining process is to reflect UPEI’s values and achieve the goals outlined in our Strategic Plan. Our collective bargaining approach is focused toward a collective goal of building outstanding experiential learning opportunities and encouraging students to develop to their full potential in both the classroom and the community. We value accountability and integrity, excellence, respect and collegiality and shared responsibility for all that we do.

The Unions at UPEI include:

• UPEI Faculty Association (UPEI FA)
  All academic staff members at UPEI in two bargaining units, BU # 1 (faculty members, librarians, sessional instructors, and clinical nursing instructors) and BU # 2 (clinical veterinary professionals)
• Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE 1870)
  UPEI support staff
• Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE 501)
  Employees in the Department of Facilities Management—Security Services Division
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW 1928)
  All employees of the Department of Facilities Management, Maintenance Division engaged as power engineers, utility workers, maintenance repairman I, maintenance repairman II, electricians and service workers but excepting foreman and supervisors, those above the rank of foreman and supervisors and office employees

To view the collective agreements between UPEI and these unions, please visit our Collective Agreements web page on the UPEI Human Resources site.

2022–2023 Collective Bargaining Updates

• The University and CUPE1870 ratified a new collective agreement during the week of March 20, 2023.
• The University and members of the UPEI FA, BU #1 and BU #2, ratified a new collective agreement on Friday, April 14, 2023, ending the faculty strike. Classes and instruction resumed on Monday, April 17, 2023.
• UPEI continues to be engaged in the process of negotiating a new collective agreement with IBEW 1928.