WELCOME

1. WELCOME To the Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union The Union and its Structure

2. The Evolution of COPE • COPE is a Canadian union formed when the Canadian members of OPEIU voted to break from that International Union in 2004 • The locals of COPE have a proud history of representing members since the late 1940’s

3. Introduction • The Canadian Office & Professional Employees Union (COPE) is a national labour organization made up of two (2) regional councils and 42 local unions representing around 35,000 union members across Canada. Our members are office, technical and professional employees in both private and public sectors. • COPE has been established in Canada since 1933 and is affiliated to the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), the largest labour organization in Canada with approximately 3,000,000 unionized members.

4. UnionMandate • To provide our members the assurance of gaining a measure of dignity and security and a decent standard of living. • We encourage the full democratic participation of all our members both within our union structure as well as in society in general. • The Local Unions and Councils shall be dedicated to promoting, protecting and championing the legitimate struggles of workers. • The Local Unions and Councils shall provide all possible aid, assistance and guidance to their members, to the end that all workers may share in the benefits resulting from employment under the terms of collective bargaining agreements and legislation relating to employment.

5. Local Unions • May be organized as single bargaining unit or composite locals • Single bargaining unit locals represent one workplace; composite locals represent several different workplaces • Are autonomous, decision making bodies • Are certified to represent the bargaining groups • Have carriage rights for grievances • Must have a local union constitution, which is always subordinate to the constitution of the National Union • Must operate in accordance with the local union constitution and the constitution of the National Union

6. We Are the Union • Through the Labour Relations Board, COPE 343 is certified as the sole and exclusive bargaining agent to represent our members in all matters of employment during the duration of the collective agreement and during collective bargaining. • As an employee in a bargaining unit, you are now a member of COPE , Local 343. • The union is made up of its members, who democratically elect their leaders from amongst their peers to direct the affairs of the organization. • We are all “the union”.

7. Structure of COPE 343 President: Liz Fong Vice President: Mary Stalteri Treasurer: Tina MacPherson Secretary: Pauline Fitzgerald Members at Large: Lorraine Boucher, Donna Shields, Heidi Tagieff Equity Members: Casey Oraa, Janice Gairey Youth Member: Matt Dumas Trustees: Kelly Belbin, Trinh Lai, Bhupinder Sanghera

8. COPE Ontario • Was formed in February 2007 at a special convention called for that purpose • Is comprised of 21 local unions, representing approximately 5500 members • Provides experienced negotiators and servicing representatives to local unions • Provides services in both official languages • Provides legal representation for locals • Provides labour education for local union activists and members • Provides advice to local unions as required and requested

9. COPE Ontario • Pays local union’s affiliation fees (per capita) to COPE National • Pays affiliation to Ontario Federation of Labour (O.F.L.) • Organizes new members into COPE Locals • Has offices in Toronto and Thunder Bay • Employs full time organizers, full time staff representatives, legal counsel, administrative staff, and temporary staff for special projects as deemed necessary

10. COPE Ontario Has an Executive Board, elected at convention, of a President, Treasurer, Secretary, Director ( part-time) and a Vice President from each local of more than 200 members and 2 Vice Presidents representing all the locals with a membership of less than 200, 1 Vice President representing Young Workers The Executive Board meets every 4 months A convention is held every 3 years All locals meet annually in the years between conventions

11. The National Union Has an Executive Board of seven members President, Secretary-Treasurer, one Vice President from each of four regions and one vice President elected at large, representing women Pays local affiliation to the Canadian Labour Congress Pays strike pay to eligible members Meets in convention each three years where the officers are elected

12. The National Union • The President of COPE is Serge Cadieux, located in Montreal, Quebec; • The Secretary Treasurer is Gwenne Farrell, located in Vancouver, British Columbia; • Ontario’s Vice President on the Executive Board is Liz Fong; • The Vice President representing women on the National Executive is Patty Clancy from Ontario; • There are 3 other Vice Presidents elected from other Regions ( Quebec, Prairie’s and British Columbia)

13. LOCAL ELECTION • Article 11 in the Constitution • Only 2 members can be elected from any one bargaining unit • Elections take place in April at the Biennial Convention • No one can vote unless they are a member in good standing • No one can hold office unless they have been a member for 12 months • Nominations take place on the first day of Convention

14. Dues • As a member of COPE Local 343, you pay dues at a rate of 1.5% of your earnings. • These dues are the primary source of income for the Local. They allow the union to run its office, fight grievances, hire arbitrators, fight strikes, and carry out all other activities that are fundamental to our ability to protect and serve the members of the union. In Ontario all the Union Representatives are employed by COPE Ontario.

15. Member Responsibilities • Member’s Bill of Rights and • Responsibilities • Attend union meetings • Abide by your Collective Agreement • Do not make private deals with management • Support your fellow union members • Abide by your Local Constitution and By-laws • See your steward if you have any questions or concerns