PSAC Local 610
University of Western Ontario
1313 Somerville House
London, ON N6A 3K7
General Inquiries:
519.661.4137 (p)
519.850.2998 (f)
psac610@psac610.ca
Summer Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 9am - 2pm
View complete PSAC610 Personnel Contact Information Here.
Become a member in good standing simply by signing your blue union card every academic year. You must sign your union card in order to be eligible for union benefits, vote, etc. The blue union cards are available in the office.
Become a steward and/or join a committee!
Although many TAs and graduate students have heard of the university's supposed "10 hour rule" regulating employment hours, the actual rules and regulations about graduate student employment are often a source of confusion and concern. Many believe that the "10 hour rule" is the maximum number of hours a graduate student may work in all forms of paid employment per week, on average. However, this is not the case.
Each year the Local provides 24 scholarships to members who demonstrate outstanding achievement in their academic performance ($500), research contribution ($400), or their dedication to community involvement ($400). The scholarships are equitably awarded across all divisions and between both Masters and Doctoral students.
Members of CUPE Local 3902, which represents Teaching Assistants and Sessional Lecturers at the University of Toronto, have been working without a contract since April 2014. Although the bargaining team from CUPE Local 3902 has been meeting with the employer for months, their member's demands for improved wages, benefits, and job security have not been addressed by the university.
Read more: CUPE Local 3902 @Uof T Issues Strong Strike Mandate
CUPE 3903 at York University is actively mobilizing members in an effort to gain strong support for a strike vote. 3903 has been working without a contract since August 2014. Some of 3903's key bargaining issues include: the elimination of differential tuition fees between domestic and international graduate students, wage increases, and improved job security. Members of 3903 consist of contract faculty, TAs, Graduate Assistants, and Research Assistants. You can follow CUPE 3903's bargaining updates here.
One of the benefits the Local offers its members is a food bank program. Assistance is provided to members in the form of grocery store gift cards so that individuals can meet their specific dietary needs. More information about and the application to the program is available on the Local's website here. If you previously submitted an application that was denied by the Food Bank Committee, the Local strongly encourages you to apply for assistance again. For more information about the program or to follow up on your application please contact the Local's Community Chair.
A significant portion of our members are also members of the University of Western Ontario Society of Graduate Students.