UNIONIZATION / NON-UNIONIZATION PROCESS

QUSA has struggled with meeting the demands of all our members – approximately 50% who wanted to know more about unionization and 50% who didn’t! It has been a challenge to walk the fine line of impartiality and perhaps we have met that mandate…perhaps not. The current Vice President of QUSA has clearly indicated his involvement with the Steel Workers Union while other members of the Executive have strong feelings opposing unionization. Many Executive members have tried to keep their personal feelings separate from their QUSA responsibilities of representing our members and their interests. It is a passionate issue!

We have recently held Question and Answer sessions where we heard from many of you. What have we heard – a need for improved policy and procedure around terminations and redeployments; a need to ensure that our current Job Evaluation System review is completed in short order to make sure that individuals are properly paid for the work they do; an improved practice regarding internal hiring procedures; adequate and improved training for managers; salary and benefit improvements, etc. We have heard from you in our survey, our recently held meetings, and will invite your input shortly as we head into our salary and benefit discussions.

We have repeatedly been asked about unionization and what is going to happen next? The Executive felt that a very brief summary outlining what may play out over the next months would be helpful. Please note this is not meant to promote QUSA or unionization but simply to try and educate and explain how things may unfold. In reality, this is a very complicated issue but hopefully this brief overview will be helpful.

• Soon you will be invited to sign a union card which is evidence that the union will use to indicate a level of support in the workplace when it approaches the Labour Relations Board for a certification vote. The Union will need to demonstrate that at least 40% of the targeted union workforce has indicated an interest in unionization by signing a card. Signing a card does not commit you to vote yes on unionization when the vote is held nor does it mean that you will automatically become a union member. If you want to pursue unionization, you will want to sign a card. If you do not want to pursue unionization, you will not want to sign a card. Not signing a card means that it will be difficult for the union to get the necessary 40% level of interest. Signed cards are valid for one year.

• If the union is able to secure a level of interest of 40% of this employee group, they will make application to the Ontario Labour Relations Board who will arrange for a yes or no vote on unionization within 5 working days of the application by the union.

• You are encouraged to vote and participate at that time. If your choice is unionization for this employee group, you will want to vote yes; if your choice is to not unionize, then you will want to vote no. A decision to unionize or not unionize will be based on the number of total votes counted therefore you are strongly encouraged to vote. 50% plus 1 in favour or against of those who participate and vote will determine the outcome. Not signing a union card does not exclude you from the vote or indicate your intention.

• Decisions regarding eligibility and union membership will be made between the Ontario Labour Relations Board based upon presentations by both the Union and the University after the vote. The Ontario Labour Relations Board has a process to count only votes that have been deemed eligible.

• If unionization is selected, you will automatically become part of the bargaining unit and you will begin paying union dues once the first collective agreement is ratified.