What does the Union do for me? This question is often asked and seldom does it get a complete answer. The reason that an incomplete answer is often given is the Union isn’t just one department. The Union provides an array of services to the member that are applicable in different circumstances. As previously discussed, the Union has a benefits department. It also has “reps” or union representatives that go to jobsites to rectify or assess a possible disagreement between members and the employer. The Union also manages the dispatch of work to its members. Therefore if you are laid off there is a procedure and department that can help you with getting another job.

The Business Manager/Financial Secretary is responsible for all the day-to-day business at the Hall. He is elected by the membership to oversee these duties. The Union has various officers and delegates that perform duties to keep the Union functioning as a unit. These officers have tools available to them to perform these duties. These tools are as follows:

Constitution: consists of the rules and regulations which form the foundation of the Union. These fundamental principles govern every Local Union and council under its jurisdiction. This book is the highest ranking document of the Union.

Principal Agreement: consists of collective bargaining agreements that are negotiated on behalf of the membership with the contractors. This book sets out and describes what each member is entitled to as an electrician. It describes geographical jurisdictions between Locals, pay schedule for its members, description of tools needed by members, and of course, what work is deemed to be done by our members.

By Laws: are the amended rules of our Principal Agreement. The by-laws are agreed upon and voted on by the members of the Local.

Due to the complexity of these rules and regulations it is possible that the contractor and member may still have a disagreement. When this happens, the Union representatives may have to step in and negotiate a solution that is fair and equitable to both parties.

The Principal Agreement is negotiated by the Union’s business manager along with the IBEW-CCO delegate and the ECAO (Electrical Contractors Association of Ontario). Since 1992, these parties have agreed to negotiate well ahead of the expiration of the agreement. This action is called the “Joint Proposal”, and it is a mechanism that allows our Local Unions to renew the procedure of negotiating a collective agreement without the need to strike.

Prior to this, the unionized electrical industry was involved in work stoppages nearly every other year. Both parties agreed that the effects of these work stoppages are negative on the unionized market share and therefore harmful to both workers and employers.