On March 13, 2023, a significant development unfolded within the labor landscape as all executives of the Teaching and Research Assistants at Concordia Union (TRAC) and the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), Concordia University’s teaching and research assistants’ union, collectively resigned.

Their departure marked the commencement of their involvement with a novel labour body known as the Concordia Research and Education Workers Union (CREW). Notably, CREW swiftly rallied a force of 1,700 workers, primarily comprising teaching assistants (TAs) and research assistants (RAs).

This massive turnout represented a clear majority, demonstrating widespread support for CREW within the academic community. However, a crucial hurdle awaits CREW’s aspirations – the formal legal recognition of their union. At present, TRAC-PSAC remains the sole entity officially recognized under the law. Despite this legal setback, the membership’s resounding vote of confidence in CREW underscores its growing prominence. A vote is planned but the exact date has not been set.

In live a discussion hosted by journalist Clément Lechat, Lauren Laframboise and Alex Engler delve into the ongoing battle between TRAC-PSAC and CREW-CSN, the emerging union. Laframboise and Engler are both organizers for CREW. The conversation touches upon CREW’s comprehensive campaign strategy, shedding light on their core demands and outlining the rationale behind their affiliation with the Confédération des Syndicats Nationaux (CSN), as CREW will be organizing under the CSN.

This recent development in the world of academic labor unions has ignited a compelling struggle for representation and labor rights at Concordia University. As the legal intricacies and competitive dynamics continue to unfold, the fate of these two rivaling unions hangs in the balance, with CREW poised to challenge the longstanding dominance of TRAC-PSAC.