In a resounding victory, academic staff at Simon Fraser University have voted for union representation.

The win, 590 to 210, where 73 per cent of eligible voters cast secret ballots in May on a clear yes-or-no certification question, capped the finish to a short card-signing campaign that started in January. Academic staff at the university’s three campuses in Burnaby, Surrey and Vancouver, BC opted for recognition of Simon Fraser University Faculty Association as exclusive bargaining agent.

Former SFUFA president Neil Abramson, who helped lead the campaign, said plans are now underway to begin negotiation of a first collective agreement.

“What’s most important now is that the vote has happened and the university administration and the association are committed to maintaining the positive working relationship we have enjoyed,” he said.