PSAC extends a warm welcome to over 500 grant-paid employees working at Dalhousie University. They are the newest members joining our growing union of over 215,000 members. Following a multi-year organizing effort during the pandemic, workers overcame employer opposition and won their right to unionize. The Nova Scotia Labour Board issued union certification on February 24, 2022. 

This is a diverse group of research associates, research technicians, research engineers, project managers, data analysts, program coordinators, laboratory technicians, research coordinators, and more.  

The entire Dalhousie community relies on the tireless efforts of grant-paid employees every day to deliver high-quality research, professional, administrative and technical services. PSAC also represents Postdoctoral fellows at Dalhousie University. 

New members shared their excitement hearing the news, and now they are ready to negotiate their first collective agreement to win improvements on the job. 

“As grant-paid employees, we now have the ability to go to the bargaining table with over 500+ of our colleagues standing with us. That’s the whole point of a union, and we can accomplish a lot by standing together,” wrote the 27-person organizing committee in a recent communication to all grant-paid employees.   

Over 30,000 workers in Canada’s university sector have chosen to join PSAC and we remain committed to organizing the sector to improve their working conditions. University sector workers often endure short-term contracts and years of precarious work. This drive was mainly virtual due to employees working remotely. Our members’ work shows it’s possible for workers in all sectors to join together, organize, and succeed during the pandemic. 

When workers exercise their power collectively, we can win.