Chapter 4

Question 1

Structure of the Canadian Union

Answer 1

1. Bargaining Unit
2. Local Union
3. Parent Union
4. Labor Council
5. Labor Federations

Question 2

What is a Bargaining Unit

Answer 2

• group of two or more employees that is determined by the Public Service Labour Relations Board to constitute a unit appropriate for collective bargaining.
• The bargaining unit sets the framework for actual bargaining between the parties.
• Ground level – is the bargaining unit – group of employees who have been organized by the trade union to barging by a local union.

Question 3

Characteristics of Local Union

Answer 3

independent or part of a parent union
comprises one or more workplaces (“bargaining units”)
guided by principles of democracy and collectivism

Question 4

Local Unions Have

Answer 4

On-site shop stewards
Paid “Business Agents” and other staff
Paid, elected union officials

Question 5

Three Key functions of the Local Union are

Answer 5

Collective bargaining,
advancing grievances,
political/social activity

Question 6

what is a shop steward

Answer 6

 shop stewards are union members who investigate individual workers complaints or grievances an act on the workers advocate to the management
 the shop steward is the unions first line representative the person whom workers will approach if a situation arises in the workplace where the worker requires immediate assistance from the union
 the shop Stuart will attend disciplinary meetings where worker meets with management to discuss his or her behavior shop stewards attend these meetings to ensure that correct disciplinary procedures are followed and also act as a witness to the events of the meeting in case there are subsequent disputes over what was it just discussed and agreed to
 shop stewards distribute union literature and welcome do union members as well

Question 7

what is a Business Agent

Answer 7

• the business agent has a great deal of responsibility and power the business agent has the advantage of remaining in his or her jobs on a permanent
• Negotiate contracts between Union Members and Management.
• Educate members about their rights,
• grievance handling,
• membership signup, etc.
• may also employ administrative and secretarial support staff
• this individual is responsible for handling the day-to-day union functions l locals in the same geographic area

Question 8

What is Advancing Grievances

Answer 8

 this includes representing a worker in discussions of formal disciplinary procedures if problems or complaints involving the worker

Question 9

What are Political and social activity

Answer 9

 local union usually participates in political or social activities outside of the workplace short examples of this include making presentations to local government bodies such as city councils participating events to support other unions or social organizations that are facing different difficulties and participating in charitable fund raising activities

Question 10

What are Parent Unions and their duties (6)

Answer 10

Regional, national, and international unions - 95% of Cdn workers belong to a parent union (ie. CUPE or Teamsters)

• Support local unions’ work – strength in numbers
• Accumulate strike funds / Provide strike support
• Help in the creation of local unions
• Offer collective bargaining advice
• Conduct educational programs
• Represent members in other organizations

Question 11

Characteristics of Parent Unions

Answer 11

• Governed by an elected executive
• Decisions made at a convention or congress
• Votes cast by delegates

Question 12

what is a labor council

Answer 12

• Composed of delegates (usually unpaid) from different local/parent
  unions
• Regional in nature and scope
• represent to local government, bring together local unions to participate in their community and carry out labour movement policies at the regional level movement policies at the regional level
  Functions…
• Lobby local government, municipal councils, and commissions for
  social change
• Provide support for local unions involved in labour disputes

Question 13

What is a labor federation

Answer 13

A “federation” of unions – provincial or national in scope –
such as the B.C. Federation of Labour and Canadian Labour Congress (CLC)

Features…
Members are unions
Conventions
Dominated by bigger and richer unions?
Funded by member unions’ dues, have paid staff
Executive members – take leaves of absence to serve

Activities:
Lobbying, public relations at provincial/national level
Co-ordinate actions of labour movement provincially
Education and research for member unions