Virtual reality

Bargaining and union organizing in an online environment

Abstract

As Canada’s only fully online university, Athabasca University (AU) offers a unique case study in post-secondary bargaining and union organizing. In the past few years growing neoliberalization of the institution combined with a dramatic shift in the legal and political climate posed a significant existential threat for AU’s faculty association (AUFA). The association responded by turning to internal organizing strategies informed by solidarity unionism and Organizing for Power. The dispersed and online nature of the workplace necessitated adapting methods and tactics to fit AU’s specific dynamics. Organizing in an online environment offers opportunities for innovation but also presents unique challenges. Through its organizing efforts AUFA learned that while tactics and methods need to be tailored to AU’s environment, overall strategy reflected that of bricks-and-mortar universities.