Congratulations to TAs and RAs at the University of Waterloo for joining CUPE!

Graduate teaching assistants and research assistants at the University of Waterloo officially became the newest members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) today.

The group of more than 2,000 workers were officially recognized by the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) following a late-December vote that was more than 90 percent in favour of joining CUPE.

“This is amazing,” said Seth Winward, one of the leaders of the union organizing campaign, which began during the pandemic. “It’s been a long and challenging road, especially when everything was online because of COVID. But through thousands of conversations, we’ve come together to improve living, working and learning conditions at UWaterloo.”

The vote came almost exactly one year after sessional instructors voted to join CUPE in December 2022, with a similarly strong result. Read more from CUPE here.

Allyship the focus of next Women in Leadership event – CUPE 4207 member highlight

Nwakerendu Waboso (BA ’07, MA ’12) will discuss allyship’s role along her leadership journey when she presents “It Takes a Village to Raise up a Leader” for Women in Leadership (WIL) Wednesday, Nov. 15.

In the talk, allyship is defined as actions taken to advance and amplify the voices of marginalized individuals in combination with efforts to recognize one’s privileges and biases.

Read more in the Brock News

October Issue of Our Newsletter Out Now!

This month’s updates for CUPE 4207 members:

  • Unit 1 Benefits Plan Updates
  • Newly Elected Executive Members
  • Welcome Unit 4 Clinical Nursing Instructors!
  • Departmental Stewards
  • Indigenous Solidarity Beyond Orange Shirt Day
  • Women’s History Month Feature
  • Fairness for International Students
  • Member-in-Good-Standing Information
  • Contribute to our newsletter!

Download it here: 4207 October Newsletter

CUPE 4207 members delivered a donation of $500 worth of products for the Period Promise campaign!

Periods are a fact of life.

Every year thousands of people in Niagara are forced to choose between safe menstrual products and other basic necessities.

It’s time for change. It’s time for empowerment. It’s time for equity.

Go to periodpromiseniagara.com to learn more about how you can get involved.

Thanks to Phil and Georgina for their work getting these products donated!

Congrats to the newly elected executive committee, stewards, delegates, and trustees for 2023-2024!

Executive Committee

President – Phil Wachel

VP, Unit 1 – Nathan Cecckin

VP, Unit 2 – Donna Pearce

VP, Unit 3 – Georgina Keller

VP, Graduate Students – Lilian Nyarko

Lead Steward – Brigitte Cecckin

Treasurer – Darrin Sunstrum

Outreach Officer – Tracy Kennedy

Equity Officer – Stacyann Williams

Recording Secretary – Ben Johnson

Health & Safety Officer – Mikko Kivisto

JHSC Main Campus Member – Phil Wachel

Alternate for JHSC – Katia Benseba

MIW Campus JHSC Member – Mikko Kivisto

Stewards

Lead Steward – Brigitte Cecckin

Unit 2 – vacant

Unit 3 – John Vilella

Humanities – Elizabeth D’Angelo

Social Sciences – Morgan Crosby

Math and Science – Karl Grantham

Applied Health Sciences – Drake Christie

Education – vacant

Business – vacant

International Students – Kaho Nishibu

Instructors – Melissa St. Germaine-Small

Delegates

Niagara Regional Labour Council: Karen Hofman, Ron Walker, Nathan Cecckin, Elizabeth D’Angelo

Hamilton and District Labour Council: Nathan Cecckin, Tracy Kennedy, Jessica Srivastava

Niagara District CUPE Council: Nathan Cecckin, Tracy Kennedy, Melissa St. Germaine-Small

Trustees

May 1, 2023 – April 30, 2026 Term – Jessica Srivastava

Clinical Nursing Instructors at Brock University form a union

LINK TO ORIGINAL ARTICLE

ST. CATHARINES, ON – Clinical Nursing Instructors at Brock University are the newest members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), following today’s decision at the Ontario Labour Relations Board. The decision follows a vote in November, when an overwhelming majority of instructors voted to join the union, which represents academic workers at most Ontario universities.

Clinical Nursing Instructors (CNIs) are registered nurses who teach in hospitals and other clinical settings for the university. “Brock’s Nursing Program is known for its rigorous curriculum and exceptionally high standards,” said Darlene Polich, a CNI at Brock for 5 years. “This is due in very large part to the experience, knowledge, and dedication of my CNI co-workers.”

“This vote came about because CNIs wanted the protection, stability, and representation that comes with being a CUPE member,” said Nathan Cecckin, President of CUPE Local 4207. “It also resolves a lengthy dispute between us and the university.  We’re thrilled that these workers’ desire to unionize is finally realized.” CUPE Local 4207 already represents approximately 1500 academic workers at Brock University.

CUPE is Canada’s largest union, representing more than 715,000 workers across the country, including more than 63,000 workers in post-secondary education.

For more information, contact:

Daniel Tseghay
Communications Representative, CUPE
dtseghay@cupe.ca | 647-220-9739