New Members

FAQ

1. What does the Union actually do?
   • Negotiates a Collective Agreement – the contract which governs the conditions of our employment
   • Acts as a democratic forum and real opportunity for workers to have a say in how their workplace functions
   • Protects workers against employer favoritism, unfair treatment, and from having our wages, benefits or working conditions changed by our employer without notice
   • Represents and supports workers in grievances and arbitrations, and when workers need help navigating benefits, workers’ compensation, insurance claims, etc
   • Offers education courses to stewards and members
2.  Who is the Union?
   • We are all the Union! If you pay dues, you’re one of us. There are many elected positions and opportunities to get as involved as you want to be. All of our Stewards, Executive Members, Trustees, and Committee Members are full-time workers just like you.

3. What is the point of a union?
   • A union is an association of workers banding together to collectively negotiate their pay, benefits and working conditions. Unions are the reason for historic wins for workers like the 8-hour workday, weekends, parental leave, overtime pay, and lots more. Unions are still vitally important and they are still the best tool that workers have to make sure they are treated with fairness, dignity and respect at work.
4. Where do our union dues go?
   • Our dues allow the Union to pay for education and training, rent for our office and meeting spaces, legal help, our website, and more. The Union provides detailed Treasurer’s Reports to members at every General Membership Meeting.
5. How can I get involved in the union?
   • Come to a General Membership Meeting (GMM) and talk to your coworkers!
   • We have many elected positions and opportunities to get involved.
     • Executive and Steward positions
     • Trustees and Committee Members
     • …want to start a committee or group? You can! Come out to a GMM and talk about it!

6. How do grievances work?
   • A grievance is a process to resolve issues when the Union and the employer disagree on the interpretation or implementation of the Collective Agreement. If you feel you’ve been treated unfairly, or that the employer is not following the Collective Agreement or other labour law, you should talk to your area Steward. The Union can file a grievance to help negotiate a resolution that makes things right.
7. How do new employees get support from the union?
   • During your first week of work, you will have 30 minutes to meet with your area Steward. They will help orient you to the resources available to you as a Union member, and help to answer any questions you might have about union membership. After that, we encourage you to come out to a General Membership Meeting to learn more about what the Union is working on, and how you can help us build a better workplace for all of us.
8. When are meetings, and how can I participate?
   • We meet at 4:30pm on the last Wednesday of every month, except for July, August and December. We meet at Silence Sounds, at 46 Essex St, Guelph ON, N1H 3K8.
9. When should I go to the union vs HR for support?
   • You should always speak to a Union representative first! HR’s first job is to protect the employer from liability, but your Union exists to defend you and your interests.