As the University of Waterloo transitions to a unionized environment for Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) and Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) positions, some employment processes will change.
Beginning with fall 2026 hiring, graduate students interested in GTA or GRA positions will be required to apply for available roles through a formal, centralized process; this process will be made available in June. Positions will be assigned to qualified applicants following a structured priority order.
This page provides an overview of the changes, key definitions, times and what current students can expect. Information will continue to be updated as additional details become available.
Background and definitions
A new collective agreement between the University of Waterloo and CUPE Local 5524.01, a union representing Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) and Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) employees, was approved on February 26, 2026. The collective agreement (retroactively) covers the period from January 12, 2024, to April 30, 2027, and outlines terms and conditions of employment for graduate students working in GTA and GRA roles.
Union
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Employee-elected organization recognized by the Ontario Labour Relations Board that represents a group of workers (i.e., the bargaining unit) and advocates for fair working conditions.
- Negotiates the terms of the collective agreement with the employer through collective bargaining.
Bargaining unit
- A group of employees that are represented by a labour union in negotiations with their employer, and are covered by a collective agreement.
- Under CUPE 5524.01, all University of Waterloo graduate students who are employed in or based out of Ontario as a GTA and/or a GRA are part of the bargaining unit.
- Ensures that the University of Waterloo is accountable for adhering to the terms of the collective agreement.
- Represents worker(s) to resolve issues through informal discussions with management or by filing a formal employment grievance where the terms of the collective agreement may have been violated.
Collective agreement
- Legally-binding, written contract between an employer and a labour union that represents workers within the bargaining unit;
- Defines the terms of employment for bargaining unit members including: wages, hours of work, workload, leaves, employee rights and protections, employment leaves, dispute resolution processes, union dues, and more.
Collective bargaining
- The process through which a labour union (CUPE Local 5524.01) negotiates with the employer (University of Waterloo) the terms and conditions outlined in the collective agreement between the parties.
Details of the collective agreement relevant to the GTA/GRA recruitment and application process
Starting in Fall 2026, the GTA and GRA recruitment and application process will change to align with the collective agreement. All students must apply each term, and positions will be assigned to qualified applicants in a structured priority order.
Employment allocation notices for current graduate students
As part of the transition to the new collective agreement, revised notices will be issued to graduate students who remain within their original funding commitment period. These notices will outline any remaining guaranteed GTA/GRA employment commitments connected to their Offer of Admission (or as revised through a program change).
These notices are intended to clarify:
- the number of remaining Guaranteed Appointments (see details below);
- the portion of the funding commitment associated with employment income (GTA/GRA); and
- the breakdown between scholarship/award funding and employment income to align with the Offer of Admission.
These notices do not change the original funding commitment made to students.
The revised notices will be issued to applicable students prior to appointments being assigned for GTA/GRA appointments in fall 2026. Most notices will be shared in June.
Guaranteed Appointment
- A Guaranteed Appointment means a graduate student has been promised a certain amount of employment income through a GTA and/or GRA role as part of their original Offer of Admission (as shared via the notice referenced above).
- Employment income funding commitments are tied to the student remaining continuously enrolled full-time in their graduate program.
Specified Guaranteed Appointments
A Specified Guaranteed Appointment means the student’s Offer of Admission identified the specific academic year (e.g., year two) and/or term (e.g., fall 2026) in which the appointment was/is to occur.
Unspecified Guaranteed Appointments
An Unspecified Guaranteed Appointment means the student was guaranteed employment income, but the Offer of Admission does not specify exactly when the appointment(s) will occur.
Guaranteed appointments are not automatically assigned. Students must still apply for available GTA/GRA positions by the posted deadlines and meet the qualifications for the position.
Students who do not apply, decline an offered appointment, or do not respond to an offer of employment may forfeit their guaranteed appointment (and related funding) for the term.
Application process for a GTA/GRA role – starting in spring 2026 (for fall 2026)
All graduate students will need to apply for GTA/GRA positions each term, as these will no longer be assigned.
The processes and systems are being built to facilitate this transition. Direct email communications will be shared once known and the system (Workday – the University's central, cloud-based Human Resources (HR) and payroll management system) is launched (anticipated June 2026).
Deadlines for application (unless an earlier deadline is noted in the advertisement):
- August 1 (fall term)
- December 1 (winter term)
- April 1 (spring term)
Hiring priority for GTA/GRA appointments:
1. Students with a specified guaranteed appointment
- Full-time graduate students in their department/school/faculty who already have a guaranteed appointment for that exact term or year get first priority.
- Example:
- “You will receive a GTA role in fall 2026 for 140 hours.”
- “You will receive two GRA appointments in Year 2.”
2. Students with an unspecified guaranteed appointment
- Full-time students in the department/school/faculty who have a guaranteed appointment within their program time limit, even if the exact date/time and role was not identified ahead of time.
- Example:
- “You will receive a GTA or GRA position during your full-time enrolment, within program time limits, of your graduate degree at Waterloo.”
3. Students without a guaranteed appointment who require employment income to meet their funding commitment
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Full-time students in the department/school who need employment income to reach the funding level made in their Offer of Admission letter.
- Example:
- Funding package total support of $25,000
- $18,000 from scholarships/awards
- $7,000 expected through GTA/GRA employment
- Funding package total support of $25,000
4. Graduate students in the department/school without a funding commitment
- Full-time and part-time students from the department/school offering the position, but who do not fall into the categories above.
- Example:
- A graduate student in the Department of History whose enrolment is outside of their funding commitment applies for a History GTA position.
5. Other graduate students
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If positions remain available, graduate students outside the department/school/faculty may also apply.
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Example:
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A graduate student from the Department of Chemistry applies for a TA position in the Chemical Engineering department because they have relevant experience or are seeking additional income.
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Next steps/questions
Additional information about the recruitment and application process will be posted once known, and email communication will be shared with all graduate students.
If you have questions in the meantime, please contact your graduate co-ordinator or complete the question form for a response within 1-3 business days.