NASA Award

NASA holds an annual essay competition open to members and/or dependents of current NASA members. Each year, NASA offers up to four awards totaling $2,500 to post-secondary students studying at an accredited Canadian institution. New this year, NASA will also be offering up to two awards totaling $500 to high school students.

This year's post-secondary student essay topic is:

Recently, many public sector unions have been impacted by government mandates at their bargaining tables. For example, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers was forced back to work by the federal government, and mandates from the Alberta government have shaped discussions at multiple bargaining tables.

  • Discuss the impacts of government interference in bargaining in recent years, using examples.
  • What concerns does government involvement introduce to the integrity of the collective bargaining process?
  • What can unions do to address these concerns? 

This year's high school student essay topic is:

This past year, educational assistants went on strike, and the Alberta Teachers' Association is considering strike action.

  • What are the reasons for these unions to consider strike?
  • How does this impact your education and your understanding of unions? 

The deadline for entries for the 2025 essay competition has now passed. Thanks to everyone who submitted an essay!