Union 101
A Guide for Members
What is a union?
A labour union is an organization made up of a group of workers who come together to protect and improve their rights and interests in the workplace. A union negotiates with the employer for better pay, benefits, and working conditions. You are a member of the United Steelworkers (USW).
A union local is a part of a larger labour union that represents the rights and interests of workers in a specific geographic area or employer. Your local union is USW Local 1998. USW Local 1998 is an amalgamated local that represents 10,000 members in seven bargaining units:
1. University of St. Michael’s College Unit
2. University of St. Michael’s College Residence Dons Unit
3. University of Toronto Casual Unit
4. University of Toronto Residence Dons Unit
5. University of Toronto Staff Appointed Unit
6. University of Toronto Schools Unit
7. Victoria University Unit
USW Local 1998 is on your side if a workplace question or concern arises. Our union is here to advise, support and advocate for you. Do you have a workplace question or concern? Contact Us
What does our union do?
Negotiates Collective Agreements
Every three years, each bargaining unit elects a bargaining committee made up of USW Local 1998 leadership and union members to negotiate their unit’s next collective agreement, or contract, with the employer. A collective agreement addresses the employer’s obligations and the workers’ rights and entitlements around wages, benefits, hours of work, leaves, job security, health and safety, discrimination and harassment, grievance procedures, and more. In contract negotiations, we fight off the employer’s concession demands and push for contract improvements.
Enforces the Contract
USW Local 1998 holds the employer accountable for adhering to the terms of the collective agreement. If the contract is violated, the union’s Grievance Officers can represent the worker(s) involved to resolve the issue through an informal discussion with management or the grievance, mediation and arbitration process. Contract enforcement is also the responsibility of your Local Union President, Local Unit President, and members like you who serve as stewards and on committees prescribed by a collective agreement.
Ensures Equitable Pay
USW Local 1998 ensures that workers are recognized and compensated for the full extent of their work through a fair and equitable position classification system. Contact the union’s job evaluation analysts to learn more about the job evaluation process. You can also learn more about the job evaluation process here.
Supports and Represents Members
USW Local 1998 is on your side if a workplace question or concern arises. Our union is here to advise, support and advocate for you. Do you have a workplace question or concern? Contact Us
What is a local union executive committee?
A local union executive committee is the governing body of a local union, like USW Local 1998. Our union’s executive committee is responsible for leading USW Local 1998 in accordance with the United Steelworkers constitution and Local bylaws and overseeing the union’s operations and strategies.
Leadership and Governance: USW Local 1998’s executive committee leads our Local, ensuring that we operate in accordance with the United Steelworkers constitution and Local bylaws. Our executive committee also sets the direction for union activities.
Decision-Making: Our executive committee makes high-level decisions on behalf of our members.
Member Representation: Our executive committee ensures that the interests and rights of union members are protected and represented.
Financial Oversight: Our executive committee establishes budgets, monitors union funds, and ensures transparency and accountability.
Nomination and Election
USW Local 1998’s executive committee is elected by our members once every three years. There are also officer positions within each of our bargaining units that serve on the executive committee. If you are interested in serving on our Local’s executive committee or in a unit officer position, note that any USW Local 1998 member in good standing can stand for nomination for these positions. Nominations for these positions are held at designated general membership meetings (GMMs) or bargaining unit meetings where a notice of nomination has been announced in advance in USW Local 1998’s weekly e-newsletter.
What is a general membership meeting (GMM)?
A general membership meeting (GMM) is a regularly scheduled meeting where the business of a local union is conducted. At a GMM, all union members are invited to gather and engage in discussions, participate in decision-making, and receive updates on union activities.
USW Local 1998’s general membership meetings (GMMs) are held monthly. Our GMMs are hybrid meetings: Members may attend in-person on the St. George campus or at United Steelworkers Hall; on the UTM campus; and on the UTSC campus. Members may also attend remotely via Zoom. GMMs are a key part of democratic union governance, and all are encouraged to attend. Be a part of the discussions about and the decisions guiding the direction of our Local! You are the union!
General membership meetings (GMMs) are chaired by the Local Union President or the Local Union Vice-President. Each month’s GMM package, which includes the agenda, motions and financial reports, is circulated to all members through the Local’s weekly e-newsletter following our monthly Executive Committee Meeting. At a GMM, the meeting chair reviews the agenda and members can ask questions and vote on motions and financial statements. The chair then provides members with a report including important updates from our Local. Members also hear from our Local’s bargaining unit Presidents and standing committee Co-chairs.
Why Participating in GMMs Matters
General membership meetings are fundamental to ensuring transparency, democracy, and solidarity within USW Local 1998. They allow our union to operate as a collective voice for our members.
What is a collective agreement?
A collective agreement is a legally-binding, written contract between an employer and a group of workers represented by a labour union. A collective agreement addresses the employer’s obligations and the workers’ rights and entitlements around wages, benefits, hours of work, leaves, job security, health and safety, discrimination and harassment, grievance procedures, and more.
USW Local 1998 is an amalgamated local that represents 10,000 members in seven bargaining units. Each unit has its own collective agreement.
1. University of St. Michael’s College Unit
2. University of St. Michael’s College Residence Dons Unit
3. University of Toronto Casual Unit
4. University of Toronto Residence Dons Unit
5. University of Toronto Staff Appointed Unit
6. University of Toronto Schools Unit
7. Victoria University Unit
Every three years, each bargaining unit elects a bargaining committee made up of USW Local 1998 leadership and union members to negotiate their unit’s next collective agreement with the employer. In contract negotiations, we fight off the employer’s concession demands and push for contract improvements.
Why is having a collective agreement important?
Your collective agreement allows USW Local 1998 to hold the employer accountable for following the provisions established in your contact. It prevents the employer from unilaterally making decisions affecting your employment, pay, benefits and working conditions. The collective agreement also outlines a grievance, mediation, and arbitration procedure so our union can advocate on your behalf if the employer violates the collective agreement.
What is collective bargaining?
Collective bargaining is the process through which a group of workers represented by a labour union, called a collective bargaining committee, negotiates with the employer for workers’ rights and entitlements around wages, benefits, hours of work, leaves, job security, health and safety, discrimination and harassment, grievance procedures, and more.
USW Local 1998 is an amalgamated local that represents 10,000 members in seven bargaining units. Each unit has its own collective agreement, or contract, and its own collective bargaining committee.
- University of St. Michael’s College Unit
- University of St. Michael’s College Residence Dons Unit
- University of Toronto Casual Unit
- University of Toronto Residence Dons Unit
- University of Toronto Staff Appointed Unit
- University of Toronto Schools Unit
- Victoria University Unit
Every three years, each bargaining unit elects a bargaining committee made up of USW Local 1998 leadership and union members to negotiate their unit’s next collective agreement with the employer. In contract negotiations, we fight off the employer’s concession demands and push for contract improvements.
During collective bargaining, your bargaining committee and the employer come together “at the bargaining table” to put forth and discuss contract proposals for inclusion in your bargaining unit’s next collective agreement. Both sides caucus (meet separately), make counter proposals, test out ideas and attempt to bridge differences.
What is a collective bargaining committee?
A collective bargaining committee is a group of workers represented by a labour union who negotiate with the employer for workers’ rights and entitlements around wages, benefits, hours of work, leaves, job security, health and safety, discrimination and harassment, grievance procedures, and more.
USW Local 1998 is an amalgamated local that represents 10,000 members in seven bargaining units. Each unit has its own collective agreement, or contract, and its own collective bargaining committee.
- University of St. Michael’s College Unit
- University of St. Michael’s College Residence Dons Unit
- University of Toronto Casual Unit
- University of Toronto Residence Dons Unit
- University of Toronto Staff Appointed Unit
- University of Toronto Schools Unit
- Victoria University Unit
Every three years, each bargaining unit elects a bargaining committee made up of USW Local 1998 leadership and union members to negotiate their unit’s next collective agreement with the employer. In contract negotiations, we fight off the employer’s concession demands and push for contract improvements. All USW Local 1998 members in good standing are eligible to stand for nomination to their unit’s bargaining committee. No prior experience is required.
During the months-long collective bargaining process, your bargaining committee keeps you apprised of important information and developments through a series of “Bargaining Updates” published in USW Local 1998’s weekly e-newsletter.
What is the collective bargaining process? (Infographic)
Infographic to come soon
What is a Communication Action Team (CAT)?
Information to come soon
Why is union engagement important?
Information to come soon
What is a collective bargaining survey?
Information to come soon
What is a member town hall meeting?
Information to come soon
What are monetary and non-monetary proposals?
Information to come soon
What happens during contract negotiations?
Information to come soon
What is a tentative collective agreement?
Information to come soon
What is job action?
Information to come soon
What is a strike mandate vote?
Information to come soon
What is a tentative collective agreement ratification vote?
Information to come soon