These pages are about unions and what they mean to us in the workforce. As I am Canadian I will be using my experience as a Union Member but with a Canadian slant. I will have some common terms used in the union language, have a whole bunch of informative links and have a page dedicated as to how you can make your union work for you by becoming an active and/or informed member.
My Union History
I have been directly involved with unions for many years. I grew up in a labour family. My father acted as Secretary for his Teamsters Local for many years as well as acting as a Shop Steward for Long Haul Drivers at his workplace. My mother was also involved with her union with Manitoba Telephone System. I can't remember which as they had two unions representing workers at her workplace. As you may imagine, I grew up learning about collective agreements, labour laws, seniority, overtime, etc. Actually when I entered the workforce it was quite confusing because I had to try and define what was actual labour law and what was a condition of a collective agreement, such as seniority.
I started working for the local hospital when I was 16. This hospital wasn't unionized. Because we were an accredited government owned hospital there were many benefits and pay schedules that for a non unionized workplace were excellent. However, we did not have seniority rights or protection against unfair disciplinary actions. I had an excellent work record and after being turned down for a job change within the hospital so that the Director Of Nursing's daughter could get the job and after watching unfair or unreasonable discipline action being taken against my co-workers I figured that we need union representation. Even though the time wasn't right to try an organizing drive I did investigate which union would be best for my workplace. I contacted the President of the Manitoba Teamster's local, whom I had known since I was a child and he gave me a few hints. I checked out UFCW, MGEU and CUPE. About 2 years after this a couple of co-workers called me one day and said that it was time. A call was made to CUPE and 3 months later my hospital was a certified CUPE Local, representing Nurses Aides, Orderlies, Ward Clerks and C.S.R. attendants.
After this I was voted in as President of this local. I also was on the Negotiation Committee, and attended Pay Equity meeting with CUPE representing my Local.
I eventually left this hospital and a few years later was working at a private nursing home. Here I was elected Treasurer and acted as a Shop Steward. I also took some training classes through CUPE to increase my knowledge of unions in general and in particular CUPE. Within this Local, I had my hand involved in secretarial and the Presidency as with any health care workplace (especially private nursing homes) there is a high turn over in staff. We had our Secretary and President leave at the same time and the V.President was out on sick leave, so for approximately a month I was the only Member to represent the Executive Committee.
I left that nursing home to go and work for another government health agency. Here I was in Shop Steward training and I also the Workplace Safety and Health representative of my Local on the Employer/Union committee.
Well, as things go I left that employer and am working in a hospital that is represented by the UFCW. This is quite a switch for me and I'm finding it very interesting. At present I've only been here for a short time and once I stop casualing over the whole hospital and settle in one department I will also become involved with this union as I believe strongly in being involved with people who are taking my money as dues and who are trying to make my working environment a better place.
In time I hope to have a page set up of Union Stories. You know, those funny or memorable stories of people doing union business. With this I will need your help. If you have a funny, moving or memorable story regarding your experience or someone you know, please email me with it. I will compile these stories and build a page out them. I know that there are some doozies out there!
How to be a more active member
This page is for the Union Member. You belong to a Union but aren't too sure on what it means or how to make it stronger or have your voice heard.
Union Terms
What does Bargaining Unit mean? This page will explain certain terms used within the Labour Movement.
Scenario and Employer pages
This page is a story based on fact. This is more for employers as I try to explain to them how to live peaceably with their unionized employees. This area is also good for those employers who are trying to avoid a union. They are basic concepts that should be followed by any person to another.
Links
This page of links will take you to many Canadian unions and organizations, some international ones and some government websites.
My personal site
About my other interests beside labour. Beavers (Scouts),crafts, recipes and camp songs are featured here. As well as pages about my family including my kids' Pok�mon pages.
Thank you for visiting this site on Labour. I will be updating it as I make new backgrounds and some buttons and as my information grows. In the meantime, please feel free to email me with your suggestions.
