News release

December 9, 2005

PSAC and TAUMUN Get the Vote Out at Memorial

On a beautiful December day, cheering could be heard from at least two offices in St. John’s, Newfoundland, as PSAC organizers and the Teaching Assistants’ Union at Memorial University (TAUMUN) realized we had together managed to achieve the incredible feat of convincing 352 graduate student assistants to come out and vote on union representation.

The representation vote, which was held at the campus library on November 30th and December 1st, required an extremely high turnout under Newfoundland labour law. Although the exact number of TAs remains uncertain, it is approximately 450 - 500. Not only did the PSAC and TAUMUN meet the 70% quorum required by the law, it is almost certain that this figure was exceeded.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Relations Board will determine the exact results of the vote in the months ahead, but a very strong Yes vote for the union is predicted as there has been widespread support for unionizing TAs on campus. Graduate student assistants at Memorial will join the majority of their colleagues across the country in reaping the many benefits of a negotiated collective agreement.

“This has been four years in the making” said Dave Shaw, the PSAC Atlantic Regional Organizer who has been working closely with the TAUMUN campaign. “These students will build the most diverse and progressive union yet seen in Atlantic Canada.”

“We want to thank the PSAC for their support and assistance,” said a jubilant Kelly Hickey, TAUMUN President. “They were ready to help us with everything we needed without telling us what to do.”

"PSAC and TAUMUN will now look towards reaching an agreement on affiliation and union services, in order to provide rights, benefits and responsibilities of PSAC membership, while still permitting TAUMUN to retain its independent union status under Newfoundland and Labrador law,” stated Jeannie Baldwin, Atlantic Regional Executive Vice-President. “PSAC looks forward to welcoming another large group of young, energetic and progressive members. This is truly an amazing victory for everybody concerned."

For more information, please contact Dave Shaw at 902-233-3471 or at shawd@psac.com