CUPE Local 2189
Local and Union
Our union is the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and we at the YWCA form our own local, local 2189. The policies of our local are set by our own members and our executive is elected from our membership. The proposals we negotiate for our contract with management are proposals that our membership want and we elect a negotiating team from among ourselves to negotiate the contract. A staff representative from CUPE works with our local as a resource person when advice is needed.
Purpose
The union was formed in 1975 at YWCA Toronto to represent the interests of the workers. The union negotiates with management for wages and benefits as well as protection for employees, guaranteed by clear rules of procedure. This is represented in a binding collective agreement.
Contract
The local negotiates the collective agreement with management. This is the legal contract that regulates the relationship between bargaining unit employees and the management of the YWCA. The collective agreement covers aspects of working at the YWCA such as: salary, benefits, overtime, layoff, dismissal, sick leave, vacation and grievance procedure.
Steward
The steward is the person in each location who represents the union members in that particular location. A steward helps employees with the interpretation of a contract, answers questions about the union, provides support in a grievance hearing and offers general information about what is going on in the local.
Grievance procedure
This is a formal method for resolving difficulties or conflict between union members and management or between the union and management. The contract outlines a procedure to be followed in these cases and this procedure provides protection for employees.