Graduate RAs and TAs at PEI join PSAC

On March 23, 2009 the Prince Edward Island Labour Relations Board certified the Public Service Alliance of Canada ("PSAC") to represent all employees of the University of Prince Edward Island at Charlottetown, Queens County, Prince Edward Island who are students registered in good standing in a Graduate Studies Program at the University of Prince Edward Island employed as Graduate Research Assistants, Tutorial Assistants and Lab Instructors. PSAC is one of Canada's largest and most progressive Unions representing Graduate TAs and RAs at Universities across Canada.

First Contract for Sessional Lecturers at Memorial

The Public Service Alliance of Canada and its directly-chartered Local, which represents sessional lecturers teaching two or fewer courses per semester, signed their first Collective Agreement with Memorial University on March 9, 2009.

"We are delighted to have achieved a first contract with Memorial University that addresses many of the critical needs of our members," said Jeannie Baldwin, PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President for the Atlantic.

The new agreement contains significant gains for Per-course Instructors, who as non-union workers had experienced only one pay increase during the previous 18 years. Wages rise by 8 per cent retroactive to September 1, 2008 with increases of 4 per cent, 4 per cent and 4 per cent in each of the next three years.

Other important achievements include seniority provisions and a hiring process that will begin to deal with the chronic job insecurity faced by these flexible academic workers. That language represents an acknowledgement that a Per-course Instructor's relationship to the University is not strictly limited to the particular semester in which she or he is employed.

Other gains include leave provisions and excellent language dealing with academic freedom, intellectual property rights, outside activities, and no discrimination/no harassment provisions.

RAs at Chicoutimi University vote Union Yes

Research Assistants at Chicoutimi University voted 80% in favour of joining the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC). As a result, PSAC will be accredited as the bargaining agent for Research Assistants and shall issue notice to bargain for a first collective agreement. PSAC is one of Canada's largest Unions representating graduate teaching assistants and graduate research assistants at Universities across Canada.

Final Results: 359Y - 398N

The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and Queen's University met today at the Ontario Labour Relations Board to seek a resolution to the remaining 93 segregated ballots. PSAC maintained the consistent position that every eligible ballot should be counted. As a result an additional 47 ballots were found to be eligible to be counted. Of the 47 additional ballots that were counted 27 voted for the Union and 20 voted against the Union for a final overall vote result of 359 in favour of the Union and 398 against the Union.

PSAC/TAFA is very proud of the campaign and especially the tremendous contributions of volunteer TAFA activists who ensured that every eligible ballot was counted and that all graduate TAs and TFs had a say on whether to form a Union at Queen's through a democratic vote.

PSAC does not interpret the vote as a mandate to preserve the status quo but rather as a clear signal to the employer that graduate TAs/TFs are aware of their workplace rights and are prepared to hold the employer accountable should the existing TA/TF consultative process not meet their workplace aspirations. The door to PSAC will always remain open to graduate students and workers who are interested in gaining a meaningful voice in their workplace and negotiating, through the collective bargaining process, for improved working conditions.

Again thanks to all the campaign volunteers and have a safe and happy holiday season.

PSAC files application at McGill University

The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) filed a certification applied on Friday, December 12, 2008 to represent a bargaining unit of 1,800 employees performing non-academic work at McGill University. This work includes largely administrative duties performed by McGill University students (not the work of Teaching Assistants who are already unionized).

Labour Board Meeting

In order to resolve the remaining segregated ballots, the Ontario Labour Relations Board has scheduled a meeting with a Labour Relations Officer for Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at 9:30 am in the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, 11th Floor, 160 Elgin Street, Ottawa, Ontario for the purpose of trying to settle all or part of the vote (see attached Labour Board notice dated November 25, 2008) This meeting is intended to provide a forum for PSAC/TAFA and Queen's to reach a mutually agreed upon resolution to the remaining 93 ballots including the possibility of counting any remaining eligible ballots to determine if they affect the outcome of the vote.

If, however, PSAC/TAFA and Queen's are unable to reach an agreement on the status of the remaining ballots on December 17,2008 then the Labour Board has tentatively scheduled a hearing into the matter on Monday, January 5, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. and continuing on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 9:30a.m. This hearing is tentatively scheduled because if one of the outstanding issues involves a status dispute (which is the case in the vote at Queen's) then the hearing will be postponed by one week. If this happens, notice providing the new hearing date will be sent to the parties, and the Board will order the Employer to post the notice. If a hearing is necessary a decision could take anywhere from days, weeks or potentially even months depending upon the number of segregated ballots that remain in dispute.

PSAC/TAFA's position on December 17, 2008 will be that all remaining eligible ballots should be counted and the will of the voters should determine the outcome of the vote.

Notice of Meeting:
PDF (192.7 KB)