Faculty at the University of Western Ontario have taken the first step in obtaining legal recognition for the University of Western Ontario Faculty Association.

At a faculty association (UWOFA) meeting in late October, members overwhelmingly (80 per cent) supported a motion to begin a certification campaign. Immediately following the meeting many faculty members signed union cards and started wearing "UWOFA say YES!" buttons.

A week before the meeting, association members voted ten to one to amend their constitution so UWOFA could become the sole representative of faculty in bargaining. Members also voted to exclude senior managers from membership. Both are requirements under the Ontario Labour Relations Act in order for the association to be recognized as a "trade union" -- the term used in the Act.

A few weeks earlier the association executive had withdrawn the mandate of its bargaining team because of the lack of progress over nine months of talks with the administration towards a comprehensive agreement.

In addition, the administration wanted to maintain the board of governors' power to unilaterally impose the majority of articles in the agreement.

"But most of all, the main issue here at Western is the erosion of collegiality in the governance of the university," said Andrew Osler, president of the association and a member of the bargaining team.

"We believe certification will allow us to bargain on a more equal footing with the administration," he added.

A number of volunteer canvassers are now proceeding with the sign-up campaign.

Once a sufficient number of cards have been signed, the association can proceed with a certification application to the Ontario Labour Relations Board which then conducts an election vote of all the employees involved. Fifty per cent plus one must vote in favour in order for the association to be certified.