How to sign a card (tutorial)
(UPDATED MARCH 2021 – NEW, SIMPLER PROCESS!)
A step-by-step guide to the digital card signing process for our union drive at the University of Waterloo, featuring some helpful screenshots, tips, and answers to common questions. It doesn't take long to sign a card, but there are a few things to be aware of to ensure your card is officially “counted” by the Ontario Labour Board. Read on to learn more!
Guest Post: Migrant Students United (MSU) feedback survey
Guest post from our friends at Migrant Students United, inviting current and former international students to contribute your opinion on the next stage of their work:
“Migrant students & workers! FILL OUT THIS 2 MINUTE SURVEY and help shape collective priorities for change in our work ahead! We won changes to permit and immigration rules, now we’re deciding what to do next. Have your say!”
International doctoral student funding: Quick survey and award restriction info
OrganizeUW is concerned that international doctoral students are facing significant and unexpected reductions to their funding packages in their fourth year due to fine print, unclear offer letters, and apparent departmental funding shortfalls.
Introducing: Gizmo the Goose!
OrganizeUW is pleased to announce that our “Name The Clever Goose” contest has concluded and our mascot finally has a catchy name that suits an intelligent, dignified, friendly, and good-humoured goose who can bring people together across campuses and advocate for us with the help of the innovative instincts befitting a UW-graduate-goose.
OrganizeUW statement on UW updates to TA wage proposal
A response to graduate student questions about uWaterloo's recent TA wage increase proposal that have arisen in light of subsequent communications from the UW Administration.
"First major victory of CUPE unionization efforts: University of Waterloo responds with 32 per cent wage increase"
(PRESS RELEASE) In a clear response to unionization efforts, the University of Waterloo (UW) has provided notice that it will raise wages for graduate student workers from $33.89 to $45 an hour. The move would bring wages for UW teaching assistants up to sector-wide norms, although they would still lag on total compensation relative to peers at other universities.
"On the road to unionization for academic workers at the University of Waterloo" (Interview|CKMS Radio Waterloo)
In a new segment, organizers chat with Shalaka Jadhav of CKMS Radio about the latest on the organizing drive, why UW academic workers want and need a union, positive reactions and momentum, the experience of digital organizing, keeping our eyes on the prize in the face of anti-union tactics, and more. The discussion focuses in particular on key questions about why the drive is important to the local community, impacts and benefits it could bring, and connections to conditions and changes in society more broadly. Check out the show to hear more!
Free quarantine packages - #WhyNotWaterloo?
The next blog post in our #WhyNotWaterloo series – which explores the difference a union really makes – examines quarantine packages for international students coming to UW in January 2021. Did you know that graduate TAs at other Ontario universities are able to quarantine through their university for free, whereas UW is charging over $1000? But #WhyNotWaterloo? Read on to find out more.
Health and safety info & short survey
OrganizeUW is concerned that the uWaterloo administration is not communicating relevant health and safety information to graduate student workers and sessional instructors.
International student issues #4 - Gaining protections against tuition increases
Despite the fact that international students make up over 50% of full-time equivalent graduate students in some faculties at UW, they are often ignored when the university makes decisions about policies that directly impact them. This is the third post by our international student sub-committee in their series on how a union can help make international students’ experiences at UW better.
