Collective Agreements
Collective Agreements are now in print, and for the most part have been distributed by volunteers across all our sites. If you have missed getting a Collective Agreement, please contact your Chapter Chair, or a worksite steward to make arrangements to get one. You can find your worksite listed under Chapters, along with the Chapter contacts.
There are many changes within the agreement, which were highlighted in the ratification package. Ensure you take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the changes and keep your book handy for quick reference. Do not hesitate to contact a steward if you have any questions on interpretation, or if you are having concerns with employer application of the language. Very often, even though the union and employer ratified the agreement, there are many occasions where we find the mangers to be applying the terms of the agreement incorrectly. We need to ensure the language of our agreement is applied correctly and fairly.
Rolls and duties of the Chapter or Local Executive
Outlined below is a brief summary of the expectation of the position and the time commitment involved. Although time off is provided for meetings called when you are scheduled to work, essentially these are volunteer jobs. The term of these positions is two years. Any member can hold these positions, and it only takes coming to the Annual General Meeting and getting elected. To be elected you need to be nominated by a peer, accept the nomination and in turn be elected.
Chapter Chair- The Chair exercises supervision over the affairs of the component while working collaboratively with the Executive on decision making and the business of the Chapter. The Chair is expected to call a minimum of 3 membership meetings (formal or informal) per year and communicate regularly with the Local. The time commitment can be large, but depends on the size the Chapter and how your Executive works together. The Chapter chair may meet with the Local Executive and other Chapter Chairs once per year. This is generally paid time off. The Chair communicates regularly with the MSO to keep abreast of all activities within their site(s).
Chapter Vice Chair- Shall assist the Chair in the execution of his duties and may act on behalf of the Chair when so authorized. This position typically requires less time commitment.
Chapter Secretary- Is responsible for keeping accurate minutes of all meetings of the component. This position is responsible for preparing meeting notices, and booking rooms, and forwarding minutes to AUPE, or the Local.
Chapter Treasurer- Shall be responsible for keeping accurate financial records of the component. Shall be in the custody of all financial documents, and sign all cheques issued. Prepare a budget to be passed at the Annual General Meeting of the component. Follow AUPE and Local Policy. The position is required to meet with the Local treasurer for training and updating once a year.
Note- Often with small Chapters the position of Treasure and Secretary are combined into one position. This is done by a motion passed at that AGM.
Council Representative- Shall represent the interests of the members of their Chapter at the Local Council. They are required to attend Council Meetings (roughly 4 to 6 per year) and report on the functions of the Local Council Meeting to the Chapter members. The Council Representative is expected to be a worksite contact and participate in the Chapters Communication fan out system. If a meeting is called on a day you are scheduled to work, your time of is paid. All other time is on a volunteer basis.
Function of the Chapter-
make recommendation to Council with respect to collective bargaining and Local Policy
administer the Collective Agreement
provide for education and general wellness of its members
to implement at an area level, Union programs and objectives
to recruit new members to the union
To be elected to Local Executive, you must be an elected Council Representative. All Executive positions, whether Chapter or Local are expected to provide a written report to the Annual General Meeting.
Local Chair- Shall exercise supervision over the affairs of the Local and shall sign all official correspondence. The Chair will work collaboratively with the Executive and Council in decision-making. The Chair will preside at all meetings, and may assign specific tasks to the Vice Chair or other members of the Executive and Local. The Chair will call meeting of the Executive at least 6 times a year and call meetings of the component as required. The Chair shall give an interpretation of the Constitution if questions arise at is applies to the affairs of the component. A very large commitment of volunteer time is required of this position. Other meetings the Chair attends are Local Chairs and Health Care Local Executives. A significant amount of time of from work is required to attend meeting, to attend to the affairs of the Local.
Local Vice Chair- Shall assist the Chair in the execution of his/her duties when assigned and may act on behalf of the Chair when authorized. The Vice Chair attends meetings of the Health Care Executives. Typically this position is understood to be that of less time commitment.
Local Secretary- Shall be the administrative officer of the Local. He/She shall ensure that accurate minutes are kept of all meetings of the Council and Executive, and will have custody of all books, minutes and records of the Local. The Secretary will maintain a directory of all Local Council Representative, Chapter Executive, Union Stewards and Convention Delegates. The Secretary ensures appropriate arrangements made for all meetings. The Secretary attends the meetings of the Health Care Executives. This position requires a fair amount of volunteer time commitment. May have other duties assigned by the Chair.
Local Treasurer- Shall be the financial officer of the component and shall chair the Local finance committee. The Treasure will have custody of all financial and accounting documents and will be responsible for all accounting and financial records of the component. This includes auditing Chapter books. The Treasurer shall prepare and have audited an annual financial statement of the affairs of the component. The Treasurer will prepare an annual budget for presentation at the Annual General Meeting. This position can be very demanding of time, and requires good organization skills. Training is provided by AUPE to operate and work with Quicken Books. A considerable amount of volunteer time is required, but time off is provided as necessary. The Treasurer attends Meetings of the Health care Executives.
Provincial Executive Representative- Shall attend the meetings of the Provincial Executive, 6 per year. Provide a written report to each Local Council meeting. Attend Convention as of right; represent the best interests of the members of the union and presents the concerns of the Local to the Provincial Executive. Provincial Executive is the governing body between Conventions, so the PE Rep requires good knowledge of AUPE, and the needs of the members and Local, PE deals with all aspects of the union, including policy, procedures and finances. As decisions made at PE may impact the Local, the PE Rep needs to be current on all affairs of the Local and communicating consistently and regularly with the members so he/she may represent our interests best. The PE Rep is elected from Council, therefore takes direction from and reports to Council. They are expected to be a voice at PE, and contribute to the discussion and decision-making. The PE Rep attends meetings of the Health care Executives. He/She may have other duties as assigned by the Chair.
Provincial Executive Alternate- Shall attend the meetings of the Provincial Executive when the Provincial Executive member is unable. The Alternate PE is able to attend all meetings as an observer. The Alternate has the same expectations as the Provincial Executive Rep. The Alternate forms a part of the Local Executive and is expected to attend all meetings, and assist with duties as assigned.
