Winning your union vote was just the first step to improving your working conditions. There are now eight bargaining units in CUPE 3902 – Senior Research Associates and Research Associates are Unit 8! The next step is electing a Bargaining Committee and preparing to negotiate with the employer.  

You might not have signed a union card during the certification drive and you might have even voted against forming a union. Even if you did not support unionization, your priorities are still important. To achieve our shared goals, everyone’s voice and participation will be crucial to build enough power to win a strong Collective Agreement.

Now that you have won the vote to form your union, you and your coworkers are in what is called the Statutory Freeze Period under the Ontario Labour Relations Act. This means that the employer must not, except with the consent of the union (you!), alter any rates of pay or any other condition of employment, right, privilege, or duty until a Collective Agreement is reached.  

The freeze does not mean the employer’s operations stop. The freeze operates on a “business as usual” standard. That means the terms and conditions set out in your individual contract should remain in effect. If you have questions about your contract or workplace policy, contact the grievance inquiries line listed below. 

Grievances, and the process that governs grievances, are part of a Collective Agreement. You do not have an established grievance procedure until you ratify your first Collective Agreement. However, that doesn’t mean you have no recourse. Notably, you now have the rights and protections that come from belonging to a union, such as protection from being terminated without cause. 

Now that you are a member of CUPE 3902, the Local has servicing staff that have the legal right to represent you.  If there are issues that cannot be addressed directly with the Employer, the Ontario Labour Relations Board has the power to direct them to comply with your contracts and the policy that currently governs the general working conditions of Senior Research Associates and Research Associates.  

If you think your contract or the policy governing your working conditions has been violated or the Employer has violated any legislation, statute or workplace policy, please contact the Grievance Inquiry line at grievance.inquiries@cupe3902.org and a Staff Representative will follow up with you.

Dues are only deducted from your pay after you and your coworkers vote to ratify a Collective Agreement.

You are not compelled to sign a membership card, attend union meetings or vote on internal union matters. However, in Canada, we have what is known as the Rand Formula.

This legal principle requires all employees in a bargaining unit to pay union dues, and it requires all unions to provide representation to all dues-paying members, regardless of whether they choose to join a union. Moreover, all bargaining-unit members have the right to participate in strike votes and votes to ratify Collective Agreements.

If you want to participate in the activities of the Local, you must become a Political Member. If you signed a union card during the certification drive, you are already a Political Member. If you have not, you can register for the Member Portal and sign a Political Membership card, or sign a physical card.

There are many ways you can build your power at work.

Attending Unit Membership and General Membership Meetings, nominating yourself or others for the Bargaining Committee or for a Divisional Steward position, or joining the Contract Action Team to talk to your coworkers about ongoing negotiations are all great ways to get involved! 

Send an email to office@cupe3902.org and staff will forward your inquiry to the officer or staff member who is best able to help answer your questions.