May 28, 2008
News release
PSAC Victory at the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi
Chicoutimi – After several months of gruelling work, the 400 teaching assistants (TAs) at the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC) have their union. They voted more than 89% in favour of joining the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC-FTQ) during a mail-in vote organized by the Quebec Labour Relations Board.
“This change in the university's environment will benefit everyone,” declared Geneviève Larouche, an activist from the outset, teaching assistant and a master's student in regional studies and interventions. “We will now be able to devote our full attention to improving our working conditions and our academic lives. Moreover, we will enjoy the advantages that a collective agreement brings and the protection of our rights as workers.”
The new union members have already established some priority objectives – pay for all hours worked, suitable salary increases, safe working conditions and protection of intellectual property.
According to Marc Duchesne, an electrical engineering research student, this membership vote by teaching assistants is only a beginning. “We must now look ahead to the next step – the negotiation of the first collective agreement. We will have to work together to make the UQAC a stimulating work and study environment.”
The Regional Executive Vice-President, Jérôme Turcq, still has some concerns in spite of the result. The UQAC is still contesting the right of the other 200 students hired as research assistants to organize before the Quebec Labour Relations Board. “All of the major universities in Quebec have recognized their responsibility to their student employees. The UQAC's relentless fight against the organization of research assistants is inexcusable,” he said.
PSAC already represents 13,000 research or teaching assistants in Quebec who are working at the Université du Québec en Outaouais, Université Laval, Université du Québec à Montréal, Université de Montréal and Concordia University. Close to 2000 assistants are campaigning in other Quebec universities to gain union recognition.
Information:
Mathieu Dumont, union organizer, PSAC 514-895-9102
Geneviève Larouche, union activist and student 418-290-4707
24-280508
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Date Modified : 2008/11/18
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