Postdoctoral Fellows
BACKGROUND: As of May 1, 2026, all postdoctoral fellows at the Université de Sherbrooke (UdeS) are officially unionized. The new bargaining unit is represented by the UdeS’s Syndicat des auxiliaires de recherche et d’enseignement (SAREUS).
Updated: July 7, 2026
CURRENT STATUS:
Since its stay application was denied on June 25, the UdeS is required to immediately comply with the decision of the Tribunal administratif du travail (TAT).
- The UdeS is therefore required, as soon as possible, to convert the fellowships paid to all of its postdoctoral fellows into salary, retroactive to May 1, 2026.
Important dates for all postdoctoral fellows currently receiving fellowships who are affected by these changes:
- July 30, 2026: Payment of your compensation in the form of a salary. Government deductions at source will be applied.
- Between July 13 and 17, 2026: You will receive an automated email from the UdeS asking you to approve your new agreement online, which provides for compensation in the form of a salary.
- Please approve it as soon as you receive it, no later than July 20, 2026.
Please refer to the detailed information and specific points that apply to you based on your circumstances.
Please refer to the following depending on your profile:
- 1) Situation applicable to all postdoctoral fellows who transition to salaried status(except in exceptional circumstances)
See also: - 2) Exceptional circumstances for postdoctoral fellows funded by the FRQ (provincial)
- 3) Situation for postdoctoral fellows who already receive a salary
To minimize the impact of the conversion of fellowships into salaries and to facilitate, under the best possible conditions, the continuation of the work and career progression of all its postdoctoral fellows:
Rest assured that the UdeS is making every possible effort (transitional measures, support services, individualized support from USherbrooke International and faculty contact persons) and utilizing all legal means at its disposal.
- September 25, 2026: The UdeS’s Syndicat des auxiliaires de recherche et de l’enseignement (SAREUS) filed an application for certification covering postdoctoral fellows.
- March 16, 2026: The TAT (Tribunal administratif du travail) judge ruled that postdoctoral fellows, including fellowship holders, should be recognized as employees within the meaning of the Labour Code. With regard to union representation, the TAT ordered a secret ballot, which took place from April 8 to 22, 2026.
- April 15, 2026: Following a secret ballot among postdoctoral fellows, the UdeS was informed that the proposal had received sufficient majority support to establish a certified trade union representing postdoctoral fellows.
- The UdeS has no objection whatsoever to the unionization of its salaried postdoctoral fellows. It fully respects the voluntary right of association.
- What the UdeS is challenging in court is the interpretation given by the judge of the TAT (Tribunal administratif du travail) in his decision handed down on March 16, 2026, to the effect that postdoctoral fellows who were students and received fellowships for credit-bearing activities should be recognized as employees within the meaning of the Labour Code.
- All of the UdeS’s legal actions are aimed at protecting its postdoctoral fellows from the consequences of converting their fellowships into salaries.
Recent, ongoing and forthcoming legal actions:
- April 14, 2026: The UdeS filed an application for judicial review with the Superior Court of Québec to challenge the decision of the TAT. This legal process could take several months.
- May 29, 2026: The UdeS filed a stay application with the Superior Court of Québec seeking the immediate suspension of the enforcement of the TAT’s decision. This stay application was denied on June 25, 2025.
- Possibly in the fall of 2026: Hearing and decision in the Superior Court on the application for judicial review. Depending on the decision handed down by the Superior Court judge:
- If the TAT’s decision is upheld: Enforcement to continue (conversion of fellowships into salary to take place in July 2026), subject to possible adjustments.
- If the TAT’s decision is overturned or amended: Further details to follow, depending on the situation.
Need help?
If you have any questions or specific needs, please do not hesitate to contact our staff.
| Need | Contact |
|---|---|
| Questions about immigration | immigration@USherbrooke.ca |
| Questions about your pay | paie@USherbrooke.ca |
| Need for financial support | soutien.financier.sve@usherbrooke.ca |
| Need for psychological support | spo@usherbrooke.ca |
| Questions about your contract, your individual terms and conditions, etc. |
|
| Questions relating to the unionization process | Union SAREUS |