Why are student workers at Wilfrid Laurier University forming our own union?
Students work for a reason; many of us need to earn an income to support ourselves and need to gain job experience in our fields of study. We are taking steps to unionize in order to improve the quality of all student jobs.
Forming a labour union gives us the power to bargain for improvements over our working conditions. Collective bargaining is a democratic process, which means that what we bargain will be decided by us. Here are examples of the kinds of things that unionized student workers have bargained for with their employers:
Our union would be a directly chartered local of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC). PSAC represents the Teaching Assistants of WLU. We want to build a broad coalition for all student workers. We intend to join the Graduate Teaching Assistants as part of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, Local 902.
While I have enjoyed my time, I still believe it's important for IAs to organize. Fair representation in the workplace, an increase in wages, and more equitable hiring practices are all very important to me and will ultimately help me to better serve my students.
Antonio Rodriguez, Research Assistant
There are many differences between contracts. This either prevents IAs from investing proper time into giving students feedback, or causes them to go over allocated time and not be paid for their extra labour. A union would allow IAs to be successful in meeting student needs, which is not currently feasible in all circumstances.
Katlyn Melcher, Instructional Assistant
They do as much work as my TAs and they should be afforded the same rights and protections. Let’s support their unionization!
Dr. Ashwani Peetush, professor of philosophy
They are essential to ensuring that all workers doing similar labour are treated fairly, that workers are properly compensated, and that measures are in place to ensure workplace safety. I unequivocally support the unionization of IAs at Wilfrid Laurier University. Solidarity Forever!
Dr. Jessica Cameron, instructor in Women & Gender Studies
I support the unionization of RA's on the Laurier campuses. As a faculty member who has the privilege of working with RA's, collective organizing offers opportunities for these vital academic workers to transform precarity into employment security, whether that be working conditions, remuneration, or health benefits.
Dr. Sara Matthews, Departments of Global Studies, Anthropology, Communication Studies and Religion, Culture and Social Justice
That’s why we need a union for all student workers—To support workers’ rights to advocate for themselves and to provide a collective voice to advocate for all of us.
Student workers perform indispensable labour for the university that too often gets taken for granted. Unionization is about improving material conditions, but it’s also about ensuring that student workers are treated with dignity—as students, as workers, and as human beings.
Jesse Smith, MA Student
I’ve been inspired by everyone who is taking initiatives in labour abroad to bring the struggles of the people to the forefront.
Building strength in community is what makes me happy to be an organizer at Laurier.
John Bannister, Organizing Committee Member. MA Student
The work they do is beyond worthy of the benefits a union could provide for them.
Shani Biniaminov, first year student
This inequity undervalues the essential contributions of IAs. Unionization would help ensure fair compensation, fostering a more sustainable and equitable work environment for all.
Inderjeet, IA Instructional Assistant
Step 1
Union committees are co-workers who support each other, share information, strategy and ideas on what kind of union they want to build. There is no union without a union committee.
Step 2
The majority of workers must sign union cards. Union cards are confidential. Your employer will never see who signs a card. Union membership cards are presented to the Labour Board in order to get a union vote.
Step 3
The union files for certification with the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB). This application process is made in order to ask the Labour Board to conduct a vote.
Step 4
5 days after filing for certification, the Ontario Labour Relations Board will hold a secret ballot vote. 50% + 1 of voters, must vote YES for a union to be formed.
Step 5
The OLRB will issue a certificate allowing Union Committees with the 50% + of votes to bargain their working conditions and start to form a union.
What is a union?
A union is a democratic association formed by workers who come together and use their collective strength to negotiate better working conditions, benefits, and terms of employment.
Workers form unions to give them the power to negotiate together as a unit through collective bargaining, as well as to make sure that workers are represented fairly in the case of workplace grievances and disciplinary procedures.
Workers who are unionized have the organization and legal power to protect their rights and interests as employees.
Why do we need a union?
We believe that a labour union is the best way that we can advocate for ourselves and our community. With a union, we are a collective force to be reckoned with. Unionization would allow us to negotiate a fair contract, access the support and advocacy of PSAC, and maintain equitable and just working conditions.
In addition, unionization would establish a formal relationship between the University and workers. It will give us a collective voice to be recognized.
I signed a card, am I in a union now? What happens next?
That’s wonderful! With your signature, you are now one step closer to forming a union. Signing a card does not mean that you are in a union yet. It means that you support your co-workers’ efforts to unionize. When the majority of workers have signed, the union will file the cards with the OLRB (Ontario Labour Relations Board). After that, the OLRB will conduct a secret ballot vote. Every employee covered by the union application will be eligible to vote.
How can I get involved in the campaign?
We would love to have more volunteers in the campaign, and welcome contributions of all capacities. To join the efforts to unionize, please contact Nicholas Lewis Lindsay: lindsan@psac-afpc.com
Please note that you do not have to possess any preliminary knowledge on unionizing to volunteer.
How do union dues work?
All union members contribute union dues because unions are wholly owned by workers. Nobody pays union dues until you have negotiated a union contract and the membership have democratically voted to ratify their contract. Dues are tax deductible and dues are not applied to overtime, bonuses or premiums. The PSAC dues rate is 1.6%.
PSAC dues rates are set at the National Triennial Convention and are determined democratically through a convention vote.
Join our committee. We welcome all kinds of commitments; in whatever capacity you wish to contribute. If you would like to know more, please contact us!
Do you have a question?
You can reach us at:
You can also call a union organizer. All calls are confidential:
Click here to book a confidential call with a union organizer