Our Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) is the foundation of how the UWSA and the University work together to support staff. It shapes the UWSA’s role in advocating for staff working conditions and ensures you have a strong, independent voice at the table.
After months of collaboration and hard work, we’re excited to share that the UWSA and the University have reached tentative agreement on MoA revisions.
This is an important milestone as we move together into the approval stage.
Here’s what happens next
- The agreement is getting a final housekeeping and legal review this week.
- The UWSA Board of Directors will vote this week on endorsing the agreement for member ratification.
- Next week, you’ll receive the full agreement along with clear, plain‑language explanations of every change so you can see exactly what’s new and why it matters.
- From March 25 to April 1, we’ll host in‑person and virtual information sessions and drop-in times. You can register for an information session on Portal now.
- From March 30 to April 8, UWSA members will vote on ratifying the updated MoA.
- The University will also formally ratify the agreement.
Once ratified, the updated MoA will give the UWSA a stronger, clearer framework to advocate for staff and safeguard your interests.
A note about timing
Ratification—established in our 2022 MoA—is a new process for UWSA members, so we’ve built in extra time for questions, conversations, and learning before you vote. We understand that changes like this can feel fast, especially in a year when staff are already carrying a lot. The process we’re using mirrors the way collective agreements are bargained and ratified, but our timeline for member consideration is much longer than the typical process, taking place over weeks instead of just a couple of days. Our goal is to give you as much clarity and time as possible while still following a standard approach and beginning compensation negotiations in time for May 1 salary increases.
The information sessions and drop-in times are your chance to understand every change before voting. Registration is appreciated but not required; links to the virtual sessions are posted in the event listings on our website.
Information sessions
These sessions will include a formal presentation in which we’ll explain the major changes in the MoA and have time for questions.
- Wednesday, March 25, 1 to 2:00 p.m. (virtual)
- Thursday, March 26, noon to 1:00 (in person)
- Monday, March 30, noon to 1:00 (virtual)
Drop-in times
These are informal sessions you can join at any time to ask questions or discuss the changes with us.
- Tuesday, March 31, 2:00 to 4:00 (in person, DC 3608)
- Wednesday, April 1, 12:30 to 2:00 (virtual)
If you can’t make it to any of these sessions, feel free to email uwsa@uwaterloo.ca with your questions and/or concerns and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can!
We also have an FAQ page with information about the ratification process.
We’re looking forward to walking through the changes with you, hearing your questions, and celebrating this step forward together.