Teaching Assistants at Queen's getting organized

On November 20, 2008, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) filed a certification application with the Ontario Labour Relations Board to request a union recognition vote among all graduate teaching assistants and teaching fellows at Queen's University.

PSAC is one of Canada's largest unions, representing 160,000 workers across Canada, including graduate teaching assistants at the University of Western Ontario in addition to graduate TAs and RAs at many universities across Canada.

The Ontario Labour Relations Board will now determine if PSAC obtained the requisite 40 per cent support among graduate TAs and TFs to order a vote, which will likely be held on November 27 at Queen's University.

Graduate TAs and TFs at Queen's are seeking to form a Union for pay security against potential budget cuts, increased transparency in the allotment of TAships, a grievance procedure to resolve any workplace disputes, improved departmental training opportunities, supplemental health benefits, pay for all hours worked and the right to negotiate a collective agreement.

The vote will be conducted by secret ballot and a majority of those who vote shall determine the outcome. Make the mark to make a difference! Vote Union Yes!

Support for pro-Union piece

Amanda Wilson's article For the union makes us strong (Journal, Nov. 7, 2008) superbly pointed to the widespread support TAFA organizers have encountered over the past months and responded to the usual complaints about unionization. Most importantly, Wilson strengthened the point that as a democratic and member-driven organization, the local will reflect the interests of its members by creating a representative and legally binding relationship with the University's many administrative levels writes Andrew Stevens PhD '09 in a letter to the editor (Journal, Nov. 14, 2008) http://www.queensjournal.ca/story/2008-11-14/opinions/letters-editors/

 

For the Union makes us strong

With the potential for greater equity and fairness, a TA/TF union would be better for everyone writes Amanda Wilson in the November 7, 2008 edition of the Journal. Teaching Assistants and Teaching Fellows at Queen's University currently have no collective voice or represenation vis-a-vis the University, our employer. Read the full story http://www.queensjournal.ca/story/2008-11-07/opinions/union-makes-us-strong/

Interested in voicing your opinion? Post a message under the message board link of this website. TAFA is committed to giving a voice to Graduate TAs and TFs at Queen's University.

Statement on York Strike

York University TAs made the decision on Wednesday night to go on strike following months of negotiations with the York administration.

We support the right of the TAs at York to go on strike, as it was a democractic decision of their local members. This was not a decision that was made lightly or quickly. The decision to go on strike can only be made when a collective agreement has expired (which it did at York in the middle of the summer) and when a majority of bargaining unit members vote in favour of such action. At York the strike vote was 85.9% in favour with 1024 bargaining unit members casting "yes" votes.  The highest voter turnout in the local's history. This vote only occurred after months of failed negotiations with the employer. York TAs felt that this was their only option to try and achieve a fair collective agreement. It was their choice, and we respect that choice. This was a job action that was not taken by TAs alone, all units of CUPE local 3903 voted in favour of going on strike: which includes Research Assistants, Graduate Assistants, TAs and Contract Faculty.

This should not be a moment to fear unionization, but a moment to realize the potential power such a decision represents in helping TAs and TFs achieve decent working conditions and security in their job.

We hope that the issues, which have thus far kept the union and employer from reaching an agreement, can be resolved quickly so that TAs can return to teaching and students can return to learn. For more information read coverage of the York strike in the Journal http://www.queensjournal.ca/story/2008-11-14/news/strike-york-teaches-queens-lesson/ or to show solidarity for TAs at York by visiting the CUPE 3903 website at http://www.cupe3903.tao.ca/

 

Universities eye 'painful' cuts in wake of crisis

"We are down big time in terms of the market value of our endowment fund", said David Mitchell, vice-principal of advancement at Queen's University in Kingston in a recent headline story in the Globe and Mail dated November 3, 2008 

 http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081102.wuniversities1103/BNStory/National/home

At the end of September - before the worst of the market woes - Queen's had lost more than $100-million in its endowment, which had fallen to $550.6 million from $658.2 million. Queen's financial challenges are not unique. Canadian universities could be forced to cut student aid, scholarships and funding for various programs as early as next spring because of multi-million dollar losses in their investment holdings.

TAFA has consistently maintained that Union recognition is more relevant than ever, in light of economic and budgetary uncertainties, to ensure that Graduate TAs and TFs at Queen's have increased pay security through a negotiated collective agreement. Without a voice at the table and the legal right to negotiate Graduate TAs and TFs will not have the same leverage as faculty and other unionized groups to advocate for better and more secure wages and benefits.

1 Year Anniversary Party

Come out and celebrate TAFA's 1 year anniversary! Everyone is welcome to celebrate the campaign achievements with our steering committee, volunteers and PSAC representatives! This event is also to recognize all of the hard work of our volunteers who have been the source of TAFA's success. The event is being held on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 7:00pm at The Tirnanog (200 Ontario Street). We hope to see you all there! Music, food and good times - Go TAFA!