This paper reviews the status of women in Canadian universities historically and from the perspective of faculty associations, with a focus on a case study of the author's own University and faculty union. Collective bargaining has enabled the formalization of some equity provisions within the collective agreement. A network of status of women committees across the country has played an important role in raising awareness about the issues and inequities facing women in the academy. The paper examines the role of collective bargaining in defining, monitoring and implementing equity policies within the university workplace, particularly as these relate to the status of women faculty members. (Contains 1 table.)