Why Unionize?
The University of British Columbia is the largest university in the province and one of the largest in the nation. And yet, it lags behind many other schools who already have unionized research assistants, academic and lab assistants, and other student worker positions. This is despite the fact that the university cannot run without us.
Workers are facing real concerns, and currently the only resolution is addressing these with their boss, by themselves. There is no standardized formal process to resolve issues, and this has led to widespread inequity amongst workers. The lack of a union has meant diminished ability to affect working conditions or get fair wages.
Not having a union has meant lower health and safety protocols, unclear or inconsistent hiring processes, unchallenged harassment, lack of support for mental health, widespread overwork/burnout, and having to deal with problems at work alone.
The only way to address these issues and advance the rights of all workers on campus is to organize into a union and gain protection with a collective agreement with the university.
Forming a union creates a clear path to the bargaining table where workers can address their shared concerns together. Together, we can make the University of British Columbia a better space for workers.
Why Choose CUPE?
After researching various options and speaking to representatives from multiple unions, student organizers collectively decided to ask CUPE for help in the organizing campaign, due to the following key reasons:
CUPE’s status as the largest union in the province, including a strong presence in the academic sector.
CUPE provides excellent services and resources to organizers, members, and locals.
CUPE has an existing presence at UBC through CUPE 2278, CUPE 2950, and CUPE 116.
CUPE has experience with large-scale organizing campaigns on university campuses.
Finally, and most importantly, the principles of local autonomy and democracy are enshrined in CUPE’s constitution.
Steps to Unionize
Forming a union can seem overwhelming – it is a legal process governed by the BC Labour Relations Board.
Below we’ve outlined a clear roadmap to help you understand this process, and the support that CUPE provides along the way. From the early set-up phase of the campaign to achieving formal recognition, each stage plays a crucial role in empowering you and your colleagues to create positive change in your workplace.
Explore the information provided here and take the first step toward creating better working conditions for all student workers at UBC.
1
Organize UBC is a grassroots campaign of workers at the University of British Columbia.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is supporting and providing resources to the organizing committee through regional organizers who work in BC.
To join the organizing committee, fill out a volunteer form below.
2
The card signing campaign is part of the legal steps to bring non-unionized workers into CUPE 2278. Signing online cards is the way we’ll signal to the BC Labour Relations Board that these workers want to be represented by and a part of this union.
Signing a union card officially indicates your support for forming a union in your workplace. All union cards are confidential, and the university never finds out who signed a card. That includes your professor, supervisor, or manager.
In order to file an application with the BC Labour Relations Board to form a union, at least 45 percent of eligible workers need to sign a confidential union card. This is called "reaching threshold" to form a union.
3
There are two possible paths to forming a union depending on how many union cards are signed:
If more than 55% of workers sign union cards we automatically form a union!
If between 45% and 55% of workers sign a card, we can still file an application for certification but a representation vote is also required. To win a representation vote (and have academic workers join CUPE 2278) more than 50 percent of voters need to vote ‘yes’ to joining CUPE 2278!
Once we are well above the 55% mark, CUPE files an application to certify the union at the BC Labour Relations Board.
Once an application is submitted, the Labour Relations Board will review the union cards we’ve submitted and will confirm the percentage of workers who have signed union cards.
4
Once academic workers have either automatically formed a union or officially voted YES to joining CUPE 2278, the Labour Relations Board will notify the union and the employer.
Prior to starting negotiations there are some procedural meetings that need to happen through the Labour Relations Board between the union and the employer.
Sometimes the employer may have an objection (or objections) to the union’s application and these need to be resolved before workers are officially union members.
5
CUPE will support all academic workers as you and your colleagues start negotiations with the university to bring formerly non-unionized student workers under CUPE 2278’s collective agreement.
Local members have full autonomy over what you negotiate – bargaining priorities are democratically determined by you, the membership.
6
The union supports the enforcement of the collective agreement using the mechanisms (such as grievance filing) outlined in the contract. This will ensure fairness and accountability in the university following the agreed terms of the collective agreement.
Union representatives will be available in each department/school to help workers resolve problems and understand their rights and responsibilities under the new contract as well as general labour laws, the Labour Relations Act (specific to unionized workplaces), and human rights legislation.
All workers can get involved in the union local to help represent their colleagues and help improve working conditions for everyone.
A union means we can fight together for:
Fairness: Transparency, clarity, and standards at work
Equity: Enforceable protections for all
Security: Job security and clear rules for access to work
Safety: A safe and healthy workplace
Respect: Recognition as essential academic workers
Support: Proper training and supervision
Dignity: Improved mental health supports
Democracy: A collective voice for all student workers over working conditions