CUPE 2626 represents thousands of Teaching and Research Assistants, Markers, Tutors, Lab Monitors, Demonstrators, Proctors, Lifeguards and Residence Life Workers at the University of Ottawa. CUPE 2626 is a local section of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (or “CUPE National”), the largest union in Canada, with over 680,000 members across the country. CUPE 2626 was formed in 1997 following a unionization drive organized by TAs and RAs in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering to fight against the arbitrary nature of contract allocation and pay rates in different departments. However, due to contentious bargaining items, the first Collective Agreement was ratified only in 2000. Since its formation, the union has been working for more than 20 years to ensure that all student workers receive equitable treatment, working conditions, salaries, and contract allocation across campus.