A union drive at the University of Guelph has been embraced by a majority of academic staff members. The Ontario Labour Relations Board, which tallied the votes May 16, reported that 65 per cent of people casting ballots voted to be represented by the University of Guelph Faculty Association. Voter turnout was 68 per cent of the proposed bargaining unit and included a “flying poll” conducted by a board official at Guelph’s satellite campuses in Kemptville, Ridgetown, Toronto, Simcoe and Vineland Station.

The faculty association’s council voted to begin the process in early April and within four weeks its organizing team had collected signatures from 56 per cent of the eligible group.

David Josephy, vice-president of UGFA, said the association was able to complete the card-signing phase “faster than anyone had thought possible,” and noted that faculty remained collegial and fair during the debates over certification in the weeks and months leading up to the May vote.

“We are very satisfied with the strong support we received, which came from every corner and discipline on this diverse campus,” he said. “The new unionized UGFA will be in a strong position as we seek our first collective agreement governed by Ontario labour law.”

There are still disputes between the association and the university over the definition of the bargaining unit. The association’s proposed unit includes about 830 faculty, professional librarians and staff veterinarians — the same group they currently represent. The university is challenging the inclusion of departmental chairs and directors, as well as staff veterinarians.

“UGFA has also always included chairs and directors as members, and this is the situation in all other unionized faculty associations in Ontario,” said faculty association president Ed Carter. “Staff veterinarians are recognized for the unique contribution they make to teaching, training and research in the veterinary program at Guelph. Including them in the bargaining unit is consistent with their effort over the past several years to become part of UGFA.”

The board has scheduled hearings this month to determine the scope of the bargaining unit.