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University of Waterloo Pending Vote
President writes to staff about pending union vote
UW President David Johnston states ... "My clear preference is for the University of Waterloo Staff Group to remain union free. . . . The adversarial process is not appropriate here.”
Waterloo - Times and places were announced last night for staff members to vote on a proposal to unionize through the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation. OSSTF has applied to represent staff in grades USG 1-8, with a few exceptions listed in their official application. All those staff members will be eligible to vote yes or no on unionization, and the issue will be decided by majority vote of those who cast their ballots. (The Record newspaper reported yesterday on the impending union vote.)
The poll will be held in the Physical Activities Complex, small gymnasium, on Thursday (that's tomorrow) from 8:00 to 10:00, 12:00 to 3:00, and 4:00 to 6:00. There will also be a poll from 10:30 to 11:30 at the distance education office on Gage Avenue in Kitchener.
Said an e-mail announcement from the human resources department: "This is a secret ballot vote administered by the Ontario Labour Relations Board. You may vote at any time during the voting hours.
"It appears that some staff think that they do not have to vote in order to make their preferences known. Nothing could be further from the truth. Only those who actually vote Thursday will a say in whether USG Staff in Grades 1 to 8 and the housekeepers and janitors will be unionized.
"The Notice provided by the Ontario Labour Relations Board indicates that the union has 398 union cards offered in support of this application. Clearly the union's signed cards do not represent a majority of the staff group. Please vote so that your voice will be heard."
Staff members will be receiving another letter from UW management today, this one signed by UW president David Johnston, who writes that "a vote to unionize will have immense and for all intents and purposes irreversible consequences in the way the University has approached staff relations for 50 years.
"This critical choice will be made by a simple majority of those who vote. If only 50 people choose to cast their vote and 26 of them vote for the union, the unionization of approximately 1000 UW staff members will succeed. Given the importance of this decision, the highest possible voter turnout is necessary so that whatever the outcome we can all feel that the wish of the majority has been expressed. . . .
"In the event that the vote supports the application for certification and a staff union comes into being, we shall do all we can, consistent with what we believe to be in the interests of the University as a whole, to ensure that the transition goes smoothly and the essential work of the institution and our commitment to its members and its students is not affected.
"Should the vote be to reject unionization, we will continue to work in partnership with the Staff Association and all others to ensure continual improvements in the policies, procedures and working environment of all University of Waterloo staff members.
"My clear preference is for the University of Waterloo Staff Group to remain union free. . . . The adversarial process is not appropriate here.”
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