It is at the Local level that unions are first organized. Locals have the authority to elect their own officers, adopt by‑laws and establish a dues structure to provide the funds required to operate.
The Local By‑laws enshrine the power and authority of the Local. These must not conflict with the By‑laws of the Component andlor the PSAC Constitution. Local By‑laws constitute, in fact, the democratic framework within which the Local operates. It needs to be flexible enough so the Local can operate in crisis situations (i.e. strikes), as well as provide guidelines for the protection of the democratic rights of the membership.
Locals generally are able to:
- Set their own dues rate and establish financial administration procedures;
- Elect officers to established positions within the Local;
- Conduct their own meetings on a regular and annual basis;
- Protect the rights and advance the interests of ,Local members at the workplace.
The By‑laws outline the structure required for the Local to operate. Usually the number of officers is determined by the number of members in the Local and the geographical breakdown. Alliance members are found in a wide range of occupational settings and work locations and while every Local organization will be similar in structure, they will vary in size and composition.
Normally the Executive consists of a President, a Vice‑President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. The Chief Steward is usually a member of the Local Executive and chairs the Stewards’ Committee.
The President
- Is the Chief Executive Officer and coordinates the administration of Local affairs through the other officers and Local Committees;
- Presides at all membership meetings and executive meetings of the Local and is an ex‑efficio member of all committees of the Local;
- Decides, by application of the Rules of Order, all questions of law and order as chairperson;
- Is the chief spokesperson of the Local in its dealings with management within the Union.
The Vice‑President
- Performs the duties of the President in case of the absence or resignation of that officer;
- Conducts meetings on behalf of the President or assumes the chair when the President vacates it for any reason during a meeting.
- Is responsible for specific portfolios as assigned by the Local;
- Assists chairpersons of committees as required.
The Secretary
Is responsible for the secretarial duties of the Local which include:
- Recording the minutes of all membership and executive meetings;
- Communications emanating from or received by the Local;
- Reports of committees;
- Close liaison with the President on all Local matters;
- Maintenance of a filing system.
The Treasurer
- Is accountable to the Local Executive for all finances receivable and payable;
- Prepares and submits financial reports to each executive or general meeting;
- Collects and deposits Local funds;
- Carries out other duties as delegated by the Local Executive.
The Chief Steward
- Recruits Stewards, organizes and coordinates the stewards’ network;
- Sets up and maintains a communication system amongst the Stewards and chairs the Stewards’ Committee;
- Advises Stewards and provides guidance and support in specific technical areas;
- Ensures the proper application by management and members of existing collective agreements, arbitral awards, acts and regulations;
- Solves problems related to the organization maintenance and efficiency of the stewards’ network;
- Works in dose liaison with all Stewards, Executive Officers, Committees and Component staff.
Stewards’ Network
The Steward is not alone in the Local. Along with other Stewards, they form the “Stewards’ Network”. It is the “Stewards’ Network” that gives the union its strength and puts the union on an equal level with management.
The Stewards’ Network is a powerful organizational tool. To the local member, the Steward is the Union. The Steward is the union officer who sees the members and who works with them at the worksite.
As a Local Officer, you will be working closely with the Stewards and it is within your reach to ensure that the Local Stewards are trained, representative of the membership, motivated and successful in protecting the memberships’ rights.
Click for more information and tools for stewards.
Committees
The foundation of any organized group is committee work. The most energetic and successful organizations are those with committees that remain active on a continuing basis and work toward concrete objectives. Locals are not different in this respect. It is through the delegation of responsibility to committees that the Local Executive can undertake a well-rounded program and provide successful representation.
Setting up committees to undertake specific activities ensures that opportunities are available for the membership to become engaged in their union to the extent that they can, lessens the burden by sharing the workload, and achieves the most successful results. More importantly, active participation by the members means that they take ownership of their union and union issues. When workers participate as active members, a strong and effective union presence is created and maintained in the workplace.
Some committees are Standing Committees such as the Stewards’ Committee, Collective Bargaining Committee, Labour Management Consultation Committee, Health and Safety Committee, Education Committee. Other committees have become important as issues emerge that are important to the membership such as Local Women’s Committees, Equity Committees dealing, with issues of equality and equity related to racism, disability, sexual orientation and harassment. Over recent years, Political Action Committees have become very important as union members experience the harmful impact of government *policies which have rolled back negotiated pay settlements; caused major job loss and undermined job security through downsizing, contracting out and privatization; and eroded the social programs which benefit all Canadian citizens.