Collective Bargaining

The local’s President and/or National Service Representative provide assistance and representation throughout the collective bargaining process with each of the local’s bargaining unit employers. The President and/or National Service Representative usually take the lead role in drafting proposals, negotiating with employers, and facilitating any processes required to reach a collective agreement (e.g., holding a strike vote, filing for conciliation, or holding a ratification vote). In some cases, the President and/or National Service Representative will simply provide support and advice to a bargaining committee.

For general information about the collective bargaining process in Ontario, click here.

Grievance Representation

The local’s Chief Steward represents the local and its members during the grievance process when a grievable issue arises in a bargaining unit’s workplace. The Chief Steward and/or the local’s National Service Representative represent the local at arbitration and in mediation if a grievance is not resolved during the grievance process.

For general information about the grievance process, arbitration, and mediation, click here. Please be sure to consult your collective agreement for specific deadlines and requirements of its grievance procedure. If you have any questions, contact your unit’s steward or the local’s Chief Steward for assistance.

Member Advising

The local’s stewards and Chief Steward provide general guidance and advice to members on various matters. For example, they may advise a member on how to exercise a collective agreement right (e.g., using a benefit or taking a leave) or they may advise a member on whether an issue or concern could or should be grieved. If you require guidance and advice on any matter related to your working conditions, please contact your steward or the local’s Chief Steward.

Union Education

Unifor provides many educational courses for its members on various topics related to workplace issues. Courses are available online in short module format, in-person at Unifor’s Family Education Centre in Port Elgin, or in-person at a Local Area School. The local supports member attendance at Unifor education courses by negotiating Paid Education Leave (PEL) into collective agreements, by providing financial support for member attendance when PEL is not available, and by working with Unifor’s Education Department to provide other educational opportunities, when possible.

To learn more about education offered by Unifor, click here. To see the current course schedule for the Family Education Centre and Ontario Local Area Schools, please visit the Member Resources section of our website.