Series 2 - Trent Staff Association (TSA) and OPSEU local 365

The Secretarial and Office Staff Advisory Committee (SOSAC), the Trent Staff Council (TSC), and the Trent Staff Association (TSA) were the forerunners of the Trent Local of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). SOSAC was formed as a standing committee to advise the Vice-President on general policy concerning the terms and conditions of employment, classifications and salary scales for members of the University’s secretarial and office staff. In 1978, an organization representing university staff was established under the name of Trent Staff Council. The TSC was organized to represent the needs of staff in matters of common concern. The council was made up of scientific support staff, library support staff, services and buildings, housekeeping, secretarial and office staff, and administrative staff. In the spring of 1980, in response to a mandate from staff to Trent Staff Council to form an association to seek formal recognition by the University of the Association as the bargaining agent for all positions which are occupied by any member of the Association, in all matters related to terms and conditions of employment, the Trent Staff Association was created. In 1993, staff members voted to become unionized under the Trent Local of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)