The grievance process is a hard-won right that provides a venue for handling workplace issues. But there are other ways to deal with problems that come up in the workplace. At this virtual SSRT, we'll share our experiences of using other venues like informal conversations with Human Resources and managers.

By developing a problem-solving approach with an aggrieved member, you can help them solve problems early and to their satisfaction. This also shows the employer that you and your co-workers are prepared to assert contractual rights and challenge any brick walls!

Please RSVP by clicking the red button below.

And please send in your Approved Leave forms if you are scheduled to work at this time.

Most union Locals have meetings with management at which either side can raise issues and attempt to solve them. Called Joint Labour-Management (JLM) meetings or Union-Management consultation, these meetings can be a critical part of the union’s strategy for representing the members, especially when dealing with issues that the collective agreement doesn’t cover.

In this Shop Steward Round Table, we'll discuss how these meetings work and which issues a Shop Steward can escalate to this venue. Sometimes your Local Executive needs stewards to participate in JLM meetings. We'll learn how to prepare your team for such meetings and how to participate in JLM meetings effectively.

Read more about Joint Committees here.

If you are not a Shop Steward but would like to join us, please contact Lynne Pajot.

Workplace bullying is the tendency of individuals to intentionally use aggressive or unreasonable behaviour or comments to hurt or isolate an employee. Other terms used to describe bullying could include psychological violence or harassment, personal harassment, mobbing, and emotional abuse. It can take various forms: public humiliation in order to control the emotional climate at work; constant criticism; rumour-mongering; and gatekeeping that controls targets by withholding resources like time, budget, autonomy, and training which are necessary to succeed.

Employers have a legal obligation to maintain harassment and bullying-free workplaces. But we know that it still happens and our members are harmed. What can Shop Stewards do when a member comes to them with concerns? We'll discuss some strategies.

All YEU members can participate in union educational activities with no loss in pay. RSVP to let us know that you are coming and we'll send you the zoom link.

Not a Shop Steward? Contact Lynne Pajot  [email protected] to find out how you can get involved in making the union stronger.

Shop Stewarding isn't a solitary activity. You are connecting with members, sharing your knowledge and helping them resolve problems at work. Many of these members can help with the Union's work if you organize them. What does that mean? Come to this month's Round Table to discuss what roles your co-workers can take on and how to get them involved. We need people to keep the Union bulletin boards updated, some people to welcome each new member, some to be the employees'  representatives on the workplace health and safety committees, some to answer questions about the Collective Agreement and benefits, some to participate in joint labour-management meetings to solve problems that aren't covered by the Collective Agreement...there's plenty of work to go around.

You can take Union Leave to participate in this 1.5-hour Zoom session. RSVP by clicking on the red button below.

"The Labour Movement was the principal force that transformed misery and despair into hope and progress"

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

We're excited to launch a one-year pilot project that will help build a stronger union at the local level. The YEU with support from PSAC is developing a network of trained Local Organizers who will connect with members and plan engaging activities.   

Why Organize?

Unions give workers a strong collective voice so that we have dignity and respect at work. Organizing is necessary to have strong unions. Workers can win big in the face of big challenges if we build power and unity in the workplace. We organize to build knowledge and power and then use it when we need to. An organized workplace engages members through the lens of union values of solidarity, safety, interdependence, inclusion, and the common good. 

Click here to read more about organizing in a union Local.

How will Local Organizers do this work of organizing?

Local Organizers will first participate in a 2-day workshop in April 2022 to learn organizing skills: how to have engaging conversations with members, how to map workplaces, and how to develop a plan of action for each Local.

For details about the workshop, click this link: Local Organizer Workshop

Throughout the year, Local Organizers will run activities that the Local wants and needs. They can range from orienting new members to the union to building support for upcoming negotiations.  

The amount of time that each Local Organizer will spend on organizing activities will vary from Local to Local. At least 18 days over the year is planned.

For more information about the Local Organizer role, check out the FAQ.

Who can be a Local Organizer?

Any member of the YEU can be a Local Organizer. Local Organizers will be selected from applicants who demonstrate an interest and a commitment to building a stronger union.

Interested members can complete and submit the application form here:

Application form

The deadline to apply is March 25th (NEW DATE!) 

All interested members are invited to an Info Session on  Tuesday, January 25th, Sunday, February 6th, Thursday, February 17th or Wednesday, March 2nd

To RSVP click this link: Local Organizer Info session

"The Labour Movement was the principal force that transformed misery and despair into hope and progress"

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

We know that when workers come together, we can do great things! 

A Local Organizer brings co-workers together to promote fairness and better working conditions in the workplace.

You can learn how to do this work.  Apply to become a YEU Local Organizer. 

Local Organizers commit to this role for a 1-year period. 

If selected, you will first participate in a 2-day workshop on Local Organizing. Over these 2 days, we explore how unions win big when they have an "engaged" membership. We'll learn about the various approaches that organizers use to get there. There will be lots of practice! Then you will begin to map out a plan of action for your local.

Following this workshop, you will spend one to two days a month doing organizing work. We'll continue to meet regularly throughout 2022 to learn from each other and from other unions.

To apply to become a Local Organizer, please complete this form before January 28th, 2022.

To find out more about this project, please read the FAQ for Local Organizers and our webpage for this pilot project

and contact Lynne Pajot if you have additional questions.

"The Labour Movement was the principal force that transformed misery and despair into hope and progress"

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

We know that when workers come together, we can do great things! The end of child labour, fair wages for all, paid maternity leave and so much more all happened because workers and unions came together in action.  

A Local Organizer brings co-workers together to promote fairness and better working conditions in the workplace.

Unions need people to actively be doing this organizing work.

You can learn how to do this work. The YEU is developing a trained network of organizers to build a more connected, informed, and engaged membership.

Here is the webpage about Local Organizing:

Local Organizing for a Stronger Union

Find out more about the role, the 2-day workshop in February, and the 1-year pilot by participating in a 45-minute information session on:

Thursday, February 17th at 5:30 pm

via Zoom:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82022385738

Let us know that you are coming by clicking on the red Send RSVP button below. 

Local Organizers commit to this role for a 1-year period. 

If selected, you will first participate in a 2-day workshop on Local Organizing in late April. Over these 2 days, we explore how unions win big when they have an "engaged" membership. We'll learn about the various approaches that organizers use to get there. There will be lots of practice! Then you will begin to map out a plan of action for your local.

Following this workshop, we'll continue to meet regularly throughout the year to learn from each other and from other unions.

To find out more about this project, please read the FAQ for Local Organizers and contact Lynne Pajot if you have additional questions.

"The Labour Movement was the principal force that transformed misery and despair into hope and progress"

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

We know that when workers come together, we can do great things! The end of child labour, fair wages for all, paid maternity leave and so much more all happened because workers and unions came together in action.  

A Local Organizer brings co-workers together to promote fairness and better working conditions in the workplace.

Unions need people to actively be doing this organizing work.

You can learn how to do this work. The YEU is developing a trained network of organizers to build a more connected, informed, and engaged membership.

Here is the webpage about Local Organizing:

Local Organizing for a Stronger Union

Find out more about the role, the 2-day workshop in February, and the 1-year pilot by participating in a 45-minute information session on:

Wednesday, March 2nd at noon

via Zoom

https://us02web.zoom.us/s/89793168513

Let us know that you are coming by clicking on the red Send RSVP button below. 

Local Organizers commit to this role for a 1-year period. 

If selected, you will first participate in a 2-day workshop on Local Organizing in late April. Over these 2 days, we explore how unions win big when they have an "engaged" membership. We'll learn about the various approaches that organizers use to get there. There will be lots of practice! Then you will begin to map out a plan of action for your local.

Following this workshop, we'll continue to meet regularly throughout the year to learn from each other and from other unions.

To find out more about this project, please read the FAQ for Local Organizers and contact Lynne Pajot if you have additional questions.

"The Labour Movement was the principal force that transformed misery and despair into hope and progress"

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

We know that when workers come together, we can do great things! The end of child labour, fair wages for all, paid maternity leave and so much more all happened because workers and unions came together in action.  

A Local Organizer brings co-workers together to promote fairness and better working conditions in the workplace.

Unions need people to actively be doing this organizing work.

You can learn how to do this work. The YEU is developing a trained network of organizers to build a more connected, informed, and engaged membership.

Here is the webpage about Local Organizing:

Local Organizing for a Stronger Union

Find out more about the role, the 2-day workshop in February, and the 1-year pilot by participating in a 45-minute information session on:

Tuesday, January 25th at 5:30 pm

via Zoom

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85132796139

Let us know that you are coming by clicking on the red Send RSVP button below. 

Local Organizers commit to this role for a 1-year period. 

If selected, you will first participate in a 2-day workshop on Local Organizing in late February. Over these 2 days, we explore how unions win big when they have an "engaged" membership. We'll learn about the various approaches that organizers use to get there. There will be lots of practice! Then you will begin to map out a plan of action for your local.

Following this workshop, we'll continue to meet regularly throughout 2022 to learn from each other and from other unions.

To find out more about this project, please read the FAQ for Local Organizers and contact Lynne Pajot if you have additional questions.

"The Labour Movement was the principal force that transformed misery and despair into hope and progress"

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

We know that when workers come together, we can do great things! The end of child labour, fair wages for all, paid maternity leave and so much more all happened because workers and unions came together in action.  

A Local Organizer brings co-workers together to promote fairness and better working conditions in the workplace.

Unions need people to actively be doing this organizing work.

You can learn how to do this work. The YEU is developing a trained network of organizers to build a more connected, informed, and engaged membership.

Here is the webpage about Local Organizing:

Local Organizing for a Stronger Union

Find out more about the role, the 2-day workshop in February, and the 1-year pilot by participating in a 45-minute information session on:

Sunday, February 6th at 4:30 pm

via Zoom:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82336486290

Let us know that you are coming by clicking on the red Send RSVP button below. 

Local Organizers commit to this role for a 1-year period. 

If selected, you will first participate in a 2-day workshop on Local Organizing in late April. Over these 2 days, we explore how unions win big when they have an "engaged" membership. We'll learn about the various approaches that organizers use to get there. There will be lots of practice! Then you will begin to map out a plan of action for your local.

Following this workshop, we'll continue to meet regularly throughout 2022 to learn from each other and from other unions.

To find out more about this project, please read the FAQ for Local Organizers and contact Lynne Pajot if you have additional questions.