Stronger Together!
Ikeoluwapo B. Baruwa (President) & Elliot Goodell Ugalde (VP) PSAC 901
May 2, 2025
Here to support you in any way we can!
To our siblings in CUPE Local 2073,
On behalf of the members of PSAC Local 901, representing over 2,000 graduate student workers and postdoctoral scholars at Queen’s University, we extend our unwavering solidarity and support to CUPE Local 2073 as you engage in your strike action in Kingston.
Your fight for fair wages, equitable working conditions, and respect on the job resonates deeply with our own experiences. We recently concluded a challenging bargaining process that led to a tentative agreement to end our strike and renew our collective agreement with Queen’s University.
We recognize the courage it takes to stand up for your rights, and we commend your commitment to improving the working conditions not only for your members but for all workers in our community. As CUPE 229, 254, and 1302 have expressed their support for PSAC 901 , we now stand with you in solidarity.
Please know that PSAC Local 901 is here to support you in any way we can. We encourage our members and the broader community to support your strike efforts, whether by joining your picket lines, spreading awareness, or providing material support.
In solidarity,
PSAC Local 901
Yannick (previous CHS staff)
May 1, 2025
You are on strike – I’ve been there too!
To all CHS employees,
I was on strike for 10 weeks. I had a young baby, a mortgage to pay, and I was the only one with a steady income at the time. I went through the cold, the storms, and the slush, but I was proud to stand up for better working conditions. If I made it through that challenge with resilience, you can too!
My only regret now is that she didn’t leave.
Don’t give it up!
I wanted to add that everytime there’s a honk, one or all of hearing members will either wave or show a thumbs up so each honk becomes every honk visual for us Deaf members on the line. Plus we have a honk count sign for each day as a part of interactive activity with the traffic.
I know as a Deaf member it’s funny seeing a sign saying “Honk for Deaf Supports” but we’re an invisible minority yet we are “Loud”
Joshua
April 28, 2025
Solidarity & strength – you’ve got this!
Hi everyone,
I wanted to take a moment to send you all a heartfelt note of encouragement as you continue your strike action at CHS. Though I only worked there briefly (about six months in RFP coordination), the time I spent with the team left a lasting impression. The dedication, warmth, and passion of CHS staff—people like you—make the organization’s mission so vital. You deserve recognition, respect, and fairness, not just in words but in action.
I won’t sugarcoat it: My decision to leave last fall was deeply tied to witnessing leadership prioritizing ego over empathy. From the president’s cruel tactics in past negotiations to the absurd demands (a private bathroom, reserved parking, and Uber-ing documents because printing was beneath her?), it became clear that some in power had lost sight of the values CHS claims to uphold. These actions aren’t just petty, they’re symbols of a toxic disconnect from the realities workers like you face daily.
But here’s what matters: You’re changing that narrative. You’re refusing to accept a culture of disrespect and inequality by standing together. Strikes aren’t just about wages or policies—they’re about dignity. They’re about saying, “We are not cogs in a machine; we are people who make this organization work.” Every picket sign, every chant, every day you hold the line sends a message that workers cannot be silenced or sidelined.
What inspires me most is your collective courage. It takes immense strength to confront injustice, especially in a workplace meant to advocate for equity. Remember: You’re not just fighting for yourselves. You’re setting a precedent for future staff, for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities CHS serves, and for every worker who’s ever been told to “just deal with it.” Your resolve is a beacon, and don’t underestimate its power.
Though I’m no longer there, please know that allies like me are rooting for you, sharing your story, and amplifying your cause. This fight is tough, but it’s also right. Stay strong, lean on one another, and keep your eyes on the horizon. Better workplaces are built by people like you who care enough to demand change.
With unwavering solidarity and respect,
Joshua