York University Dons – Have a say in your working life.
Join the USW!

Since 2019, the USW has been working with Residence Dons across the University of Toronto to help give students a strong voice in their workplace. York University Dons – you can have a say in your working life too!

Being a Residence Don, while rewarding, is a difficult and demanding job. Dons know all too well these jobs come with a high degree of responsibility for other student’s safety – both their physical and mental well-being, making yourself available to others and long hours on call, all while staying a top of your studies. In addition, far too often raising issues of compensation, inequity or harassment go unheard and unresolved in these positions since employers rely on the fact Don positions are, by their very nature, precarious employment, with high turnover rates and rehiring based upon a Dons performance the previous year.

For this reason, Dons across the province are increasingly interested in joining a union to give them a strong voice in their workplace, support when tackling large issues from union professionals and the chance to bargain with their employer on their working terms and conditions.

Learn more about how the USW can help address issues in your workplace and what you have to gain by joining the USW. Click here to learn more about the USW.

How can a union assist with issues at work?

  • No employee should have to deal with discrimination or harassment anywhere, but especially not at work. Unionized workplaces have a zero tolerance for discrimination and harassment. With a union, you have a grievance procedure. This allows you to file a complaint and have it taken seriously. If the union and company cannot agree on a resolution, then a third party (Arbitrator) will decide on the case, ensuring a fair resolution. The victim should never suffer any negative impact for filing a complaint.

  • In a legal union contract, we can enforce the hours of work agreed to by the university and your union. You should not work extra hours for free.

  • Have you or someone you know been disciplined or threatened for something that wasn’t your fault? With a union, you have just cause. This means discipline must be fair and warranted. You will get a chance to relay your side of the story with a union advocate, without any worry of punishment for speaking up.

The Law

The Ontario Labour Relations Act, 1995 (OLRA) guarantees your right to join a union and it makes sure you are protected. Below are important sections of the Act with explanations.

  • What it means:

    The Ontario Labour Relations Act (OLRA) guarantees your right to freely join the union of your choice and participate in its activities.

  • What it means: Employers are prevented by law from discriminating in any way against workers who join a union or participate in its lawful activities. Employers are prevented by law from threatening or imposing any sort of penalty on employees because of their union membership.

  • What it means: Employers are prevented by law from participating in a union's activities or interfering with its formation. The union is your organization.

  • What it means: Membership cards are confidential. Your employer never sees membership cards and never knows who has or has not joined the union.

  • Employers are prevented by law from changing your wages or other conditions of employment once a union has applied to represent you. Any changes must be approved by you through your union. That means what you have, you keep. And, you will bargain for improvements on top of that.

  • The Steelworkers can take legal action against the company at the Ontario Labour Relations Board. The employer has the responsibility to prove that they did not commit an unfair labour practice. The Board can rule that the employer stop such activities and reinstate and compensate any employee who may have been fired, disciplined or penalized for union support or activity.

University of Toronto Dons union contract highlights   

·       This document provides a high-level overview of what the Dons at the University of Toronto St. George Campus Constituent College Residences (comprised of New College Residence, University College Residence, Innis Residence and  Woodsworth Residence) bargained in their first union contract. Please note, the issues outlined in this contract are specific to the issues needing to be addressed specifically at the Constituent College residences.

·       A union contract for York University will be specific to addressing the needs/issue being experienced by Dons at York.

Full union contract for University of Toronto Dons

·      This is the full legal copy of the UofT Dons union contract for those who may be interested in reading the full document

We hope you join your coworkers and sign the online membership card. You can sign it online - from your phone, tablet or desktop! Card signing is 100% confidential.

Once enough workers have signed, we will file an application with the Ontario Labour Board, who will then conduct a vote. We will keep you updated every step of the way.

Have questions? –Let’s chat!

Darlene Jalbert
USW District 6 Organizing Coordinator
djalbert@usw.ca
613 362 4414