UNIONIZE WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY

IT’S TIME TO FORM A LABOUR UNION FOR ALL STUDENT WORKERS AT WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY

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:

  • Guaranteed pay increases
  • Health benefits
  • Channels to resolve issues and make complaints, free from reprisals or retaliation
  • Union contracts can address systemic oppression faced by marginalized workers (such as gender affirming health benefits, Indigenous conflict resolution mechanisms, pay equity, bias in hiring and promotions, and more)
  • Protection of intellectual property and recognition of student workers’ contributions within research projects

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.

HOW IT WORKSF.A.Q.

HEAR WHAT OTHERS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT UNIONIZATION

I have had the pleasure of being an IA for the past two academic years.

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

A union ensures that IAs are being fully compensated for the entirety of their labour.

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

Dr. Ashwani Peetush, professor of philosophy

My IAs bring so much value to the educational experience in my classes.

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

Dr. Jessica Cameron, instructor in Women & Gender Studies

Unions are one of the only means by which workers are able to democratize their working lives.

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

FACULTY SUPPORT: TRANSFORMING PRECARITY INTO SECURITY

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

As workers, we’re always stronger when we come together.

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

An Organizing Committee member, I feel humbled everyday I can meet and connect with other activists on my campus.

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

Shani Biniaminov, first year student

As a first year, my IAs play an integral role in not just my success in the classroom, but outside of it as well.

The work they do is beyond worthy of the benefits a union could provide for them.

Shani Biniaminov, first year student

Instructional Assistants often perform the same duties as Teaching Assistants, yet face significant pay disparity, earning 40-50% less for equal work.

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

Ready to organize?
Show your support and sign a card.

Union card for All Student Workers

How it works

STEPS TO UNIONIZATION

Step 1

Join the union committee

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

sign a union card

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

Application for Certification

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

Secret ballot vote

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

OLRB certificate

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.

Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)

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.

Who can sign a card in support of unionizing?

If you are enrolled as a student and work directly for the Wilfrid Laurier University, you can sign a card. You not have to be a Canadian citizen to sign a union card. Union cards are confidential.

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.

Get involved

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:

freyl@psac-afpc.com

You can also call a union organizer. All calls are confidential:

(647) 417-1523
(437) 990-8985

Click here to book a confidential call with a union organizer