C.U.P.E. Local 1975 has a rich history dating back to 1944 when a group of men from the Powerhouse and Mr. Wilfred F. Lake of the Chemistry department united to form a union. This was the first union on the University of Saskatchewan campus, and the men who started it had many obstacles to overcome. What they achieved became the University of Saskatchewan Employees Union (U.S.E.U.), which provided numerous benefits for its members, aided other labor organizations, and continues to be an important organization to this day.
On September 11, 1944 C. Bennett, H. Johnson, F. Neault, D. Sutherland, J.E. Wright, P. Hordern, and W.F. Lake attended a meeting. This meeting was held at a private home, as were most early meetings of the union. Mr. A. McAuslane, a guest, spoke on the value of collective bargaining at the first meeting of the Powerhouse group. The previous eight names went on record as a committee determined to form a union. These men collected the necessary fifteen dollars to purchase a charter from the Canadian Congress of Labour (C.C.L.). At this meeting, W.F. Lake was elected as president and F. Neault as secretary-treasurer.
The groundwork was established for the formation of a union, however; the group soon encountered opposition towards their goals. Both Management and the Employees’ Association were firmly opposed to the formation of a labor union on campus. At the next meeting of the Employees’ Association, a motion of censure was passed, against any member of the association joining the union. Members were told that they would likely be fired if they chose to join the union. A motion by W.F. Lake to have the Association call a mass meeting, to discuss the issue with the entire membership, was defeated. To cope with this development the committee decided to sponsor their own mass meeting. Also under consideration was an investigation of the Employees’ Association under the Trade Union Act.
By October 8, 1944, the union had elected a provisional executive to serve for the remainder of the year. Mr. W.F. Lake was elected as president, F. Neault was secretary-treasurer, P. Hordern was recording secretary, and H. Johnson was an extra member. Also on that date, permission was granted to hold the mass meeting, which took place in Convocation Hall. The union invited Dr. Carlyle King, who spoke on collective bargaining and the New Provincial Legislation. It was an eye-opener for those who attended. On November 21, 1944 the union wrote to the Labour Relations Board in Regina asking for certification of the union as the collective bargaining agent for the Powerhouse group. It wasn’t until May of 1945 that the provisional executive received formal authorization from the board to be the sole bargaining agent for the University of Saskatchewan Employees Union (U.S.E.U.). With certification granted, the union became Local 54 of the Canadian Congress of Labour.
The main reason for the delay was opposition from the Employee’s Association. The Association had applied to be the bargaining agent for employees of the University, but their application was rejected. This is explained in a letter written May 28, 1945 by the Chairman of the Labour Relations Board: The Board was of the opinion that the applicant Association does not have bargaining collectively among its purposes. Not having bargaining collectively among its purposes it cannot be regarded as a labour organization as defined by the Act, and not being a labour organization it is not a trade union. The Board’s decision, therefore, was that it had no power under the Trade Union Act to make an order determining that the applicant Association represents a majority of employees in any appropriate unit or requiring any employer to bargain collectively with that Association, and that as a result, the Association’s application could not be granted.
The first contract negotiations between the University and Local 54 began in June 1945. During that summer the organizing had spread to the Animal Science department, technicians, clerical, library, maintenance and residences staff. Among the first members to join outside of the powerhouse were L. Findlater (technician), W. Chapman and D. Goddard of the Animal Science group, C. York and J. Millar of the Crop Science group and H. Marsden of the Residence group.
Before the university officially recognized the union, all dues were collected by the shop stewards and turned into the secretary treasurer. Any employee who wished to join the union had to sign an application for membership and pay one month’s dues. This provided tangible proof of an employee’s membership, which the union could present to the Labour Relations Board when they asked for certification. W.F. Lake, L. Findlater, H. Johnson and others continued to carry on their campaign to contact every employee and urge them to join the union. An excerpt from a letter written by W.F. Lake on June 4, 1945 to "Fellow Employees of the University" states: The Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board . . . has ruled that the Employees’ Association is not a labour organization . . . and can no longer represent you in any negotiations with the University in regard to wages or working conditions . . .. We also wish to emphasize that unions are democratic organizations, and that every employee who joins our union will have full say in the running of the organization, in the agreement which we negotiate with the University and in the election of the officers of the Union . . ..
By January 1946, the University was good enough to offer the Union a room in which to hold their meetings. The first general meeting of all union members was held on January 6, 1946 in Room 104 of the Administration Building. Mr. Glen Thompson of the Canadian Congress of Labour was present at the meeting to install the first officers of the union. Prior to this event the officers were of the Powerhouse group only, now the Union was campus wide. W.F. Lake was sworn in as president, L. Findlater as vice-president and J. Wright as recording secretary. H. Johnson, S. Hewlett and C. Parsons became trustees. The treasurer, R. Brown, was elected at the next meeting held on February 8, 1946.
The first agreement between the union and the university was signed in 1946 and formed a very solid foundation for the years to come. Union policy for Local 54 was established, and the agreement initiated many benefits for employees. The benefits included: leave of absence, terms for promotions, seniority, safety and health provisions, compensation for injured employees, holidays, annual vacation time, and a guarantee of the reestablishment of war veterans in their employment on campus. The seniority clause was probably the most significant part of the first contract. This clause gives the right to a senior employee to advance over a junior service employee provided he or she has the basic qualifications; it is defined as years of service with the employer. The first agreement also included terms for leave of absence without pay and allowed the employee to maintain seniority and superannuation rights up to a period of six months of leave. An employee on campus was granted three weeks vacation only after one year of total service. Grievance rights were also established in the first contract.
An important item of the 1947 contract was that of safety and health, which stated that it is the responsibility of the University to make all possible provisions to ensure the safety, health and welfare of its employees while they are at work. A new clause for bereavement and compassionate leave was incorporated in the agreement in 1949. The new clause allowed an employee three days leave without loss of pay. Furthermore, in 1952 the union established a non-academic retirement plan with the University. Also in 1952 Local 54 C.C.L. became Local 54 of the Canadian Labour Congress (C.L.C.). It is apparent that the formation of the union and the negotiation of the first contract were significant accomplishments for the employees on campus, they received many benefits and finally had a true organization that would support them.
The positive support the U.S.E.U., Local 54 C.L.C., gave its members is evidenced not only by the benefits they received but also by the union’s negotiation of fair wages for the employees. A comparison of 1946 wages to 1959-1960 wages for a few classifications is presented here. A Poultry Assistant received $110 monthly after two years of service in 1946, by 1959 they received $240-270 monthly. A Storekeeper, who earned $150-160 monthly in 1946, received $274.00-303.50 by 1959. Likewise, a Caretaker earning $125 monthly in 1946 could earn $273.50-283.50 by 1959.
Much of the early history of the union is recorded only as correspondences, collective agreements, and minutes to meetings. From these documents it is obvious that the union continued to grow and diversify throughout the 1950s and ‘60s. Numerous committees were added, such as the Reading committee, Sports committee, and Welfare committee. Various social events were organized such as the annual banquet and Christmas party. The union was prospering and with careful monitoring of expenses was able to finance such events. The financial report for June 1957 states the bank balance stood at $2001.15. The financial report for December 1957 indicates total union dues at $816.60, expenses such as membership to the C.L.C. and the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour ($679.95), and total gain for November ($136.55). The bank balance stood at $3410.24. The union’s growth and success is apparent from these figures.
As is likely to occur in any organization, the union did have some difficulties in getting members to attend meetings. Some members thought them to be too long or too boring, and attendance became an issue of concern in 1957. Among the ideas discussed, was a fine of $1.00 per month per member for not attending. The money would be refunded if the member attended eight out of ten meetings in the year. This was never put into effect.
Funds to aid union members financially were established in the late 1950’s. The Minutes of the Meeting, U.S.E.U., held on June 21, 1957 mention the Welfare Fund, which went into effect on July 1st of that year (the same time as the employees raises went into effect). The fund would mean 25 cent per month deduction, and allowed a person in need to borrow up to $300.00. This meant individual union dues would be raised to $2.25 per month. Both Management and the Union decided the merits of each case wishing to use the Welfare Fund.
The union also gave financial support to various labour organizations. In April of 1960, the union decided to give the Golden Jubilee Building funding $1500.00 over a period of twelve months. By May of 1960 the union gave over one thousand dollars in loans to the Saskatoon Labour Council towards purchasing of the New Labour Hall. As the union continued to diversify certain groups chose to leave the union. In April of 1960 it was agreed by unanimous vote to have the U.S.E.U. fulfill the request of the professional librarians in applying to the Labour Relations Board for their withdrawal from the union.
The first 20 years of Local 54 saw significant achievements that may not have been possible had it not been for the determined people leading the union. The past presidents of the union include, W.F. Lake 1945-49, G. Adolph 1950-51, H.F. Carley 1951-52, G. Musgrove 1952-53, S.B. Mauchel 1954-56, F.J. Anderson 1958-60, A.H. Bibbey 1960-1961, J. Hromek 1961-1962, and M.H. Jakins 1962-64. These people were responsible for the large growth and success of the union in the first twenty years. The union covered 11 employees under the first agreement with the university, by April 1970 the membership list for the union numbered 1400.
The determination of Mr. W.F. Lake and the workers from the powerhouse led to the formation of a union with many achievements in the first twenty years. Though they encountered opposition the pioneers of Local 54 C.L.C. formed the only union of its kind that covered employees from both the Saskatoon and Regina campuses of the University of Saskatchewan. The benefits the members received, through the hard work of the negotiating committees, is evidence of the positive role the union continually plays. No strikes or worker disputes occurred within the first twenty years, further demonstrating the diligence and perseverance of the negotiating committees. Local 54 C.L.C. eventually became Local 1975 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees in 1975. It is because of such a great beginning that the union continues to see great success.
I would like to thank Patrick Hayes of the University Archives for his assistance in obtaining the materials listed here.