Part-time workers' union – decision postponed
The voting is wrapping up for part-time college employees to decide whether a union will represent them. However, it may take as long as six months to count those ballots and reach a final decision, said Don Sinclair, executive director for the College Compensation and Appointments Council.
At the end of this past July, when the Ontario Public Employees Union applied to be the bargaining agent for part-time college workers, they were required by the Ontario Labour Relations Board to show that they had 35 per cent of their membership signed up before beginning the voting, said Sinclair.
However, the College Compensation and Appointments Council challenged OPSEU's membership, saying they did not have enough individuals signed up and the Board agreed. OPSEU went ahead with the voting — which is acceptable protocol — but still needs to demonstrate that they have 35 per cent of their members registered.
Even attempts to sign up more members in September and October are futile, said Sinclair. What matters are the numbers that OPSEU submitted with their application to become a bargaining unit, he added.
“If OPSEU does not have the membership evidence, the ballots will be destroyed,” he said.
However, the six-month delay is due to the Board's busy agenda and does not directly relate to the issue of OPSEU's membership. OPSEU could not be reached for comment.
At the end of this past July, when the Ontario Public Employees Union applied to be the bargaining agent for part-time college workers, they were required by the Ontario Labour Relations Board to show that they had 35 per cent of their membership signed up before beginning the voting, said Sinclair.
However, the College Compensation and Appointments Council challenged OPSEU's membership, saying they did not have enough individuals signed up and the Board agreed. OPSEU went ahead with the voting — which is acceptable protocol — but still needs to demonstrate that they have 35 per cent of their members registered.
Even attempts to sign up more members in September and October are futile, said Sinclair. What matters are the numbers that OPSEU submitted with their application to become a bargaining unit, he added.
“If OPSEU does not have the membership evidence, the ballots will be destroyed,” he said.
However, the six-month delay is due to the Board's busy agenda and does not directly relate to the issue of OPSEU's membership. OPSEU could not be reached for comment.
