UWSA membership

The UWSA is an independent, member-run organization that makes your voice heard in key issues and policies that impact your work life. We represent and work on behalf of all USG staff covered by our Memorandum of Agreement with UW.

The staff we represent fall into three categories in terms of your relationship to the UWSA, based on whether you pay dues, and whether you've joined as a Voting Member.

The gist: Dues get you access to our services; Membership is a governance role.

Voting Members

If you were hired between October 26, 2022, and April 8, 2026, or you’ve opted in to the UWSA, you’re a Voting Member!

You pay dues and you’re legally a Member of the UWSA as a not-for-profit corporation, so you have full membership rights, including voting (and running!) in our elections and serving on committees.

Contributing Members

This is a NEW category for staff hired on or after April 9, 2026.

It also applies to legacy contract staff who sign a new contract (either temporary or permanent) after April 9, 2026.

Contributing members pay dues and can access most of our services, but need to opt in as a Voting Member to claim full membership rights.

There is no change to your dues when you sign up.

Eligible Staff

If you were hired before October 26, 2022, and haven’t opted in, you’re not a member yet!

We represent you, and you benefit from our work, but you don’t currently pay dues because that wasn’t in your employment contract. We encourage you to join and gain the benefits of membership, including access to our services and supports. When you join, the university will begin deducting your UWSA dues from each paycheque, at 0.28% of your salary.

In the MoA, staff hired before October 26, 2022, are referred to as "Legacy Staff." Note that if you sign a new contract (either temporary or permanent) after April 9, 2026, you'll become a Contributing Member.

Why members joined

We asked members why they joined the UWSA. Here's what they told us:

“It’s important to support the association that stands up for our best interests on campus."
73 members told us they joined because our work representing staff is important
“I realized for a small fee, literally the price of Netflix, that I could be a part of a large community on campus specifically for staff, led by staff.”
33 said they joined because they needed our support

(or just in case they needed it)
"To have peace of mind knowing I have place to go and ask for advice." "I enjoy feeling connected to staff across campus."
33 members joined to access our discount programs
"I wanted to be part of something bigger here at the university." "To contribute and to feel belonging as a UW staff member."
23 members said they joined for a sense of community and belonging
“I can't imagine not belonging to my own staff advocacy organization. It just makes sense.”
17 members said they joined to be better informed
"To be informed and kept up to date with concerns with the university." "Originally it was the discounts; [now] I appreciate how informed we are."
31 told us they joined to have a voice on campus or for strength in numbers
“To have a voice at UW and be a cause for change. I think it is imperative to be part of a staff association. There can be unity and solidarity in numbers.”

Benefits of membership

A voice in decision making: Our full-time president and other representatives work closely with the University administration to improve working conditions and protect staff rights.

Staff advocacy: A full-time UWSA advocate provides confidential support and assistance to members.

Professional development: Voting Members can represent staff on UW and UWSA committees.

Voting privileges: Only Voting Members can participate in membership votes, annual meetings, and elections.

Financial support: UWSA members can access scholarships (for themselves or family members), personal development grants, and reimbursement for legal and financial advisors if involuntarily terminated.

Protection: The UWSA protects the rights of all staff under University policies and procedures.

Discounts and corporate memberships: UWSA members are eligible for discounts at a wide range of businesses.

Events: Our events provide an opportunity to connect outside of work.

Access to membership rights and benefits

Here's exactly what you have access to based on your dues and membership status:

Member benefits

Voting Members
(dues + membership)

Contributing Members
(paying dues)

Eligible Staff
(not paying dues)

Salary & policy negotiation

✅ Yes

✅ Yes

✅ Yes

Advocacy support

✅ Yes

✅ Yes

🚫 Not eligible

Consultation

✅ Yes

✅ Yes

🚫 Not eligible

Events & discounts

✅ Yes + subsidized event tickets

✅ Yes

🟡 Limited access

Emails & info

✅ Yes: All emails + our members-only Confluence space

✅ Yes: Most emails + Confluence space

🟡 Can access public resources on our website

SEG & student awards

✅ Yes

🟡 Voting members preferred

🚫 Not eligible

Elections, meetings, & committee appointments

✅ Yes

🚫 Not eligible

🚫 Not eligible

Membership FAQ

Questions about membership, dues, or eligibility? If you can't find the answer here, email us at uwsa@uwaterloo.ca.

UWSA membership FAQ

What about staff excluded in the MoA?

There are also staff we don't represent—those who are excluded from representation under our Memorandum of Agreement with UW. 

If you're in this category, we won’t collect dues or provide member services, and you won't be eligible to join, but you’ll still benefit from much of our work. For those new to this category in 2026: You remain part of the campus community we care about, and we’re committed to supporting you through this change.

Transitioning to the updated MoA

Staff whose membership ends as a result of the 2026 MoA will continue to have access to some of our services until August 31, including advocacy support and discounts. We'll also keep you on our mailing lists during that time unless you request otherwise—just email us if you'd like to be removed from our UW mailing list, Mailchimp, or both.

Following August 31, all staff will continue to be welcome to attend many of our events, contact us with questions, and access our online resources, including forthcoming policy guides. And the updates to the MoA will position the UWSA to more effectively advocate for changes—to policies, compensation, and employment practices—that benefit ALL staff at the University of Waterloo, not just our members. 

Why are dues mandatory for new staff?

The basis for this is the Rand decision, a 1946 Supreme Court decision by Justice Ivan Rand, which mandated that all workers covered by collective bargaining should pay dues, ensuring that no one benefits without contributing. 

UWSA dues make our work for staff possible. Moving toward full dues participation of all eligible staff will help us sustain our services, strengthen our advocacy, and grow our capacity to support staff.

Our 2022 Memorandum of Agreement implemented mandatory dues for staff represented by the Association, with an exception for staff hired before that MoA was signed (and who therefore didn't have dues included in their employment contract). Many staff hired before the 2022 MoA have already chosen to join and support the Association, and we thank you for that!

How much are dues?

UWSA dues are just 0.28% of your salary, deducted from your paycheque each month. UWSA dues are tax-deductible and will be reported on your T4 slip starting with the 2026 tax year.

Monthly estimate chart

Dues are based on your gross salary.

Monthly salary ($) Monthly dues ($)
2,500 7.00
3,000 8.40
3,500 9.80
4,000 11.20
4,500 12.60
5,000 14.00
5,500 15.40
6,000 16.80
6,500 18.20
7,000 19.60
7,500 21.00
8,000 22.40
8,500 23.80
9,000 25.20
9,500 26.60
10,000 28.00
10,500 29.40
11,000 30.80
11,500 32.20
12,000 33.60

Yearly estimate chart

Dues are based on your gross salary.

Annual salary ($) Annual dues ($)
30,000 84
40,000 112
50,000 140
60,000 168
70,000 196
80,000 224
90,000 252
100,000 280
110,000 308
120,000 336
130,000 364
140,000 392
150,000 420

How do I opt out?

All staff can opt in and out of Voting Membership in the UWSA. However, only staff hired before the 2022 MoA can opt out of dues.

Please contact us if you’d like to leave the UWSA so we can be sure to send you the correct form.

Religious objections

If you have a bona fide religious objection to paying labour association dues, you can submit a sworn affidavit explaining the objection. If accepted, your dues will be redirected to a charity. See the Memorandum of Agreement for more details.

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