Collective Agreement and Constitution & By Laws
Collective Agreement 2009-2012 Constitution and By Laws (Amended September 26, 2000)

 

Membership Application
	Application for Membership Form Print Fill out Hand to any Executive Member; or Mail, Fax or bring to the Union Office

 

What is a Union?
A union is a group of workers who form an organization to win: Dignity, justice and respect on the job; Better wages and benefits; More flexibility for work and family needs; A counter-balance to the unchecked power of employers; and A voice in improving the quality of their products and services;

 

What Your Union Does for You
Negotiates and enforces your contract Settles your grievances Gives workers job protection Keeps you informed, holds meetings Supports fair labour legislation Acts in your best interest with the community as well as management Provides strength in numbers Interact with U.S. locals, International Union, Labour Council and its affiliates

 

Union Dues

The dues collected weekly from each Union member are used in the following manner. A portion goes to the day to day administration of the Local and its activities. A portion goes to the London & District Labour Council who deals with matters concerning local government, boards and commissions as well as policies of the provincial and national labour movement. Another portion goes to the Ontario Federation of Labour who pressure and lobby the provincial government in your interest. Yet another portion goes to the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union in the U.S. who helps to monitor the affairs of the Local but at the same time affording the Local a great deal of autonomy.

 

Adjusting to Shift Work

Shift work is a style of work that can disrupt your social life, throw your digestive system out of whack, upset your 24-hour biological clock, and pose a safety threat to yourself and the people with whom you work. Shift work is defined as work performed outside the regular daytime working hours of 7am and 6pm. This type of work doesn't have to be rotational; working permanent afternoons or nights is also considered shift work. At least 25 per cent of North American workers face the challenge of shift work. One of the first problems faced by shift workers is disruption of the body's 24-hour biological clock. For example, sleep is normally triggered by darkness. Falling asleep causes digestion, blood pressure, temperature and breathing rates to slow. Of course, waking up reverses this process. Consequently, attempting to go to sleep during the early morning after a night shift can be difficult when the body is being triggered by daylight. Likewise, trying to stay awake late at night when the body is preparing for sleep can be a struggle. Altering the body's clock confuses the body's rhythms. This can lead to a feeling of disorientation not unlike jet lag. Studies of shift workers show that they use more over-the-counter sleeping pills, suffer more drug and alcohol abuse problems, are more likely to suffer health-related problems, and develop more sleep and stress related disorders than those who work during the day. Between 3:30am and 5:30am, most workers experience their lowest level of performance where decision-making, physical labour or mental labour are required. Shortage of sleep built up over time will leave the worker less alert, regardless of time of day. While safety research has yet to point to shift work as a direct cause of industrial injury incidents, we all know that decreased mental and physical ability puts workers at risk and can cause injury. Now that you are aware of the problems associated with shift work, it's time to consider what you can do to combat its effects: Eat regular well-balanced meals. Maintaining a regular eating pattern will help to minimize digestive discomfort. Consider your schedule when planning your meal times. Those working an afternoon shift should have their main meal in the middle of the day, not during the middle of their shift. Those working nights should eat small amounts during their shift, but eat a moderate breakfast so they don't become hungry while sleeping. In general, eat well and avoid excessive intake of salt, caffeine, alcohol, sleeping pills and tranquilizers. Most importantly, sleep. Sleeping on a set schedule will improve your chances of getting a good sleep during the day. Inform your family and friends that you'll be sleeping during the day. Draw the blinds and put on the answering machine. If you have trouble falling asleep, try increasing your relaxation time before going to bed. Read a book or listen to the radio, forget about daytime TV and try to relax. Try running a small fan by your bed as a shield of "white noise" to block out day to day sounds. Regular sleep is one of the most important tools available to workers in combating the effects of shift work. Make it your priority. It will not only make you feel better about yourself and the world, it will also maximize your alertness and performance while at work. A good sleep is a safety practice.

 

FAQ About Unions

The following questions frequently come up among unorganized workers. It is important for people to understand the basic democratic principles that underlie the formation of a union. Because democracy is at the heart of unionism, many of these questions do not have "simple" answers. However, some thoughts have been provided to assist workers in making their decisions about being organized. Why do workers join unions? Workers join unions for many reasons; however, the most frequently given response to this question from workers is "a voice in the workplace." Without forming a union, all decisions about wages, hours, and working conditions are left to a small group of managers. Given the power that major corporations hold, it is important to balance the scales so that working people do not become just another resource to be used and discarded. How does the union gain bargaining rights? When a majority of the workers voting decide that they want a union, the National Labour Relations Board certifies the Union as the bargaining agent for the workers. At that time, notice is given to the Company to begin bargaining, and a timetable is established. What is meant by Labour Board Certification? When a sincere interest in forming the Union is determined, an election will be scheduled where each worker will have the opportunity to vote. The National Labour Relations Board conducts the election and determines whether a majority of the voting workers want a Union. If a majority of the voting workers vote for the Union, the National Labour Relations Board certifies the Union as the exclusive representative of the workers for the purpose of bargaining over wages, hours and working conditions. After gaining bargaining rights, who drafts the union's bargaining proposals? Usually the workers select a committee of people from all shifts and departments to draft the proposals for bargaining. Assistance is provided by the BCTGM based on other contracts and experience from other groups of workers. These proposals are then presented to the entire membership, who discuss and vote on the proposals. What do union and employers bargain about? The National Labour Relations Act spells out "mandatory" subjects for collective bargaining. Below is a list of some of these topics: 1.  Wages and hours basic rates of pay profit sharing merit increases incentive plans overtime pay shift differentials 2.  Benefits vacations holidays insurance (and insurance carriers, if the identity of the carrier affects how benefits are delivered) sick leave/disability severance pay pensions leave of absence 3.  Terms and Conditions of Employment union shop, agency shop, dues check-off, hiring hall grievance procedure and arbitration seniority, promotions and transfers discipline and employer rules lay-offs safety and health drug testing strikes/lockouts management rights effects of plant closure or removal of work changes in operations (business closing/relocation, automation, subcontracting, etc.) elimination of discrimination performance of bargaining unit work by supervisors use of bulletin boards in-plant food services and prices hours of work Will rank-rank-and-file workers be present in negotiations? Yes, the most effective negotiating committees are made up of workers from the plant selected by their co-workers and a BCTGM International Representative who has experience in negotiations. Do workers have the right to ratify or endorse the proposed agreement? Yes, the ultimate say so over whether to accept the agreement is voted on by the workers. What is meant by "grievance procedure"? Once the contract is negotiated it will contain a process for resolving disputes that arise in the workplace known as the grievance procedure. The grievance procedure allows workers the most basic right of "due process" within the workplace. If a dispute or conflict arises between a "coach" or supervisor and a worker, an informal attempt to resolve the problem occurs. If the problem cannot be resolved informally, it is reduced to writing and proceeds through several steps within the company to attempt resolution. If no one up the chain of command resolves the problem, it is taken to a neutral third party (known as an arbitrator) for resolution. How will the union make sure the agreement is enforced? The grievance and arbitration procedures are the "enforcement" procedures for maintaining the integrity of the Agreement. Solidarity and unity among the workers helps to strengthen the language.