At the local level

USGE Locals are the true heart of our union. Volunteer Local executive members lead the daily workplace fight to represent and advance the interests of their co-workers.

Each Local holds regular membership meetings, along with an annual general membership meeting where executive elections are held. The annual budget and possible Local by-law changes are also presented for adoption.

USGE members in good standing have the opportunity to democratically elect their Local executive. Teh executive comprises such 'table officers" as president, vice-president, treasurer and secretary. It also includes 'stewards', to whom members in a particular area of their workplace can turn for assistance. Large Locals may also elect a Chief Steward to coordinate the activity of the steward body.

Service to the membership is the USGE's raison-d'être. Our union provides a wide range of services, available to each and every member, wherever they may work.

Grievance representation

Your collective agreement sets out the terms and conditions of work. Whenever a member believes that his or her workplace rights have been violated, the USGE works with that member to try and resolve the problem informally. If that effort fails, the union will provide assistance by reviewing other forms of redress, including the grievance procedure.

The grievance procedure includes up to three levels, depending on the Department or Agency involved. The exception involves classification grievances, which are only heard at the final level.

There are advantages to settling grievances at the lowest level possible.

Complaint representation

At the workplace, the Local may also provide representation regarding complaints dealing with such employer policies as harassment policy, health and safety issues and Joint Union-Management Consultation Committees.