It's time for a TA/RA union at UWaterloo!

If you're a TA or RA and you're ready for a union like we are…

Sign up now!

Or contact an organizer directly

Committee to Organize UWaterloo

Committee to Organize UWaterloo

supported by CUPE

Organize UWaterloo

The Committee to Organize UWaterloo (aka OrganizeUW or OUW) is a grassroots campaign to unionize the academic workers at the University of Waterloo (UW). It was started in March 2020 by a group of graduate students hoping to make Waterloo a better place to work, and the movement has been growing ever since!

You are eligible to sign a union card if you are working as a:

  • Teaching Assistant (TA)
  • Research Assistant (RA)
  • In another, similar role ( see FAQ here)

If you are a Sessional/Contract/Adjunct Instructor, click here for information about the recently-formed Sessionals’ union.

OrganizeUW is proudly supported by the Canadian Union of Public Employees. With over 715,000 members nation-wide, CUPE is Canada's largest union and a leader in the post-secondary education sector in Ontario and across Canada.

The primary aim of the organizing committee is:

To build an inclusive OrganizeUW where human rights are built into everything we do, including in how we operate our current drive and what we plan for our future union local. By focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion we hope to make our spaces open, diverse, fair, equitable, representative, and ultimately incompatible with white supremacy and patriarchy. Only by ensuring full, meaningful, and equitable chances for everyone to participate in our grassroots group can we hope to build a successful union movement that will truly improve the lives of everyone at UW.

The principles and goals for this campaign have been outlined by the OUW Committee for Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and can be found in full here.

Events

Recent and upcoming webinars, town halls, socials, info tables, and more

Beaver Tail Food Truck

Indulge in the sweetest treat - FREE beaver tails brought to you by OrganizeUW.

Our Union Now

Join your colleagues, classmates, and student leaders from across UW to discuss the next steps to building your union!

News

The latest blog posts, media coverage, announcements, and more

They changed the rules and didn't tell you - again!

Policy 30 - the policy that outlines the terms of employment for TAs - was updated as of December 13, 2022. We want to explain some of the issues we see with Policy 30 - both the process and the content - and how it would be different if we were already unionized.

Sessional Instructors Have Unionized!

We’re thrilled to announce that Sessional Instructors at the University of Waterloo are the newest members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees.

Sessionals Video Statements

See the statements sessional instructors made in favor of voting yes for a union.

Contact

Send a question directly to an organizer

Get in Touch

Send us an email or DM us via social media and an organizer will contact you directly. All inquiries are kept confidential.

Want to learn more, but can't make it to Stammtisch or prefer to meet individually/online? No problem! Let us know and we will gladly set up a video call or coffee chat with an organizer at a time and place that works for you.

Weekly in-person meet-up (aka Stammtisch)

TAs, RAs, and Sessional Instructors - We want to meet you!

Join on Mondays at the Graduate House from 5:00pm onwards for Stammtisch.

What's that, you ask? Stammtisch (German for “regulars’ table”;ˈʃtamtɪʃ) is an informal group gathering held on a regular basis, at the same time and place. It's not a structured meeting, but rather a friendly get-together. Most often, the group will meet weekly at the same table in their favourite local restaurant or beer garden. And since our favourite watering hole is the Grad House, that's where you'll find us, every Monday!

In other words, it’s a great chance to kick back and relax. You’ll make new friends, meet your co-workers and have lots of fun :)


Talk to you soon!