Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
For Spring 2025 – General Membership Meeting
As the Part-Time (PT) and Sessional (SL) Certification finalizes, we must provide our PT/SL faculty as much support as possible. This includes ensuring they have strong faculty in leadership positions for both bargaining and divisionally, as soon as possible. Therefore, we must ensure that as many interested PT/SL faculty are duly elected at your General Membership Meeting, and able to attend their Divisional Meeting as Delegates and/or Alternates. (Note that all references to Part-Time or PT refer to all members in the PT Unit, which includes sessional faculty.)
Who can run as a PT delegate?
Any member who is part-time or sessional in Winter 2025 and/or Spring 2025 can stand as a PT delegate in the upcoming General Membership Meeting elections.
How many PT delegate positions are available?
To promote inclusivity and participation, for the upcoming PT Divisional Meeting (June 19- 20, 2025), the number of PT and SL members from your Local’s Winter 2025 27.12 list should be used. Based on this number, we follow the Convention formula for delegate allocation.
Note: The delegate count for the FT Divisional is based on the OPSEU Membership List as of December
31, 2024.
What if a candidate is no longer PT at the time of the election?
As long as the member was PT in either Winter or Spring 2025, they are eligible to run for a delegate position at the PT Divisional Meeting.
How is quorum calculated at the GMM?
The standard quorum formula applies, as previously used when only the full-time unit existed in the
Local.
Can Partial-Load (PL) members run for PT delegate positions?
Only if they were PT or SL in either Winter or Spring 2025.
Who can vote at the GMM?
Only PT unit members can vote on PT-related union matters, including electing PT delegates.
Who can nominate PT delegates?
Only PT unit members can nominate candidates. PT members may also self-nominate.
Do PT members need to be signed members to nominate or be nominated?
Yes. However, they can submit an electronic membership form, even on the day of the meeting.
When is the PT Divisional Meeting?
The PT Divisional Meeting is scheduled for June 19-20, 2025. Both in-person (Toronto, near Pearson Airport) and virtual attendance options are available.
What compensation is involved for PT delegates?
OPSEU is currently reviewing its “Own Wages” policy to determine how it can be adjusted to better serve the Division’s needs.
Can we elect PT delegates before the official OLRB certification is awarded?
Yes. Elections can take place before the certification is officially awarded to ensure inclusivity and participation among PT members.
How many members will be elected to the Bargaining Team?
A 7-person team is expected to be elected.
What voting software will be used?
OPSEU provides access to Simply Voting and Election Buddy (at no cost). Each platform has its own advantages and limitations. Please contact your staff representative as soon as possible with your GMM date to arrange voting procedures.
General Questions
When will the votes be counted?
Votes will be counted on April 11 and 17, 2025.
When do PT members start paying union dues?
Dues will be payable only after the collective agreement has been ratified.
Can members opt out of being unionized?
No. Just like in the Full-Time Unit, all members within the PT Unit are unionized.
How will OPSEU representation benefit PT faculty?
Unionization has led to significant benefits for the Full-Time Unit, including:
- Greater job protection
- Health benefits
- Paid sick days
- Higher wages
These advantages will continue to improve through each round of bargaining.
What happens if a member belongs to multiple Locals?
All college faculty are unionized under OPSEU/SEFPO. Members belonging to multiple Locals will receive union protection at all Locals where they are members.
What if a member moves from PT to Partial-Load or does not receive an assignment?
All members retain their union membership for one year after their last dues payment.
Do unionized members automatically receive paid sick days and other benefits?
No. Benefits are determined through negotiations in the collective agreement. Nothing is automatically granted upon certification.
Will PT faculty have the same collective agreement as Partial-Load and Full-Time faculty?
No. The PT Unit will negotiate its own separate collective agreement, distinct from the existing FT Unit’s agreement.
Are administrators who also teach part-time included in the PT Unit?
No. The CCBA explicitly excludes those holding a chair, department head, or higher managerial position from the PT Unit.
If a manager is teaching but cannot be considered as a member of the PT/SL unit does this mean they
are no longer able to teach?
In the interim, this situation will probably be left as a gray area, and an agreement will likely have to be reached through bargaining.
How will the strike fund work when there are two different Collective Agreements?
The FT and PT Units will negotiate their own contracts, and as such, bargaining timelines will also vary. If the Local decides to hold a Contingency Fund (aka Strike Fund), it will be up to the Local to decide what that looks like. Such decisions must be approved at a General Membership Meeting with at least a 67% vote.
How will we count delegate status for both units in one local?
For events that are specific to a Division (such as the Divisional Meeting), the number of delegates is based on the number of signed members in the Unit. For events that pertain to the entire Local (like Convention), the number of delegates is based on the number of signed members in the Local. In both cases, the number of delegates is based on the Convention Formula (Article 13.04 of the Constitution):
- Up to 150 Members 1 delegate
- 151 to 300 Members 2 delegates
- 301 to 500 Members 3 delegates
- 501 to 800 Members 4 delegates
- 801 to 1100 Members 5 delegates
- 1101 to 1500 Members 6 delegates
- 1501 to 1900 Members 7 delegates
- 1901 to 2300 Members 8 delegates
- 2301 or more Members 9 delegates
Final Notes
If you have further questions, please reach out to the DivEx at divexcaata@gmail.com. Thank you for your engagement and participation in shaping the future of PT faculty representation!