CUPE 3902 is founded upon democratic principles which ensure that the membership of the Union has the final say in any decision. Since we cannot have a general gathering of all 5,000 members on a weekly basis in order to make decisions, we have developed a structure that is efficient, yet accountable to the membership.

The Membership Meeting

The ultimate authority in CUPE 3902 is the membership meeting. Our bylaws require one meeting of all three units to be held in the Fall and one in the Spring. However, more meetings are normally held because of special needs or issues. During bargaining, separate unit meetings are held for members of each unit to make decisions concerning their own bargaining priorities for their own Collective Agreement. Members are entitled to at least one week’s notice of the time and place of a meeting; however, the Union tries to give more notice than is required. Normally, you will see notices in our monthly newsmagazine The Guardian, on posters, through your e-mail, and on our website.

If members want a meeting, there is a process to petition for a membership meeting. Contact the Union for details. In order to have a valid meeting for Unit 1 alone, the presence of at least 30 members is required. For an all-unit meeting, 40 members are required. Meetings are run according to Bourinot’s rules of order, but the Chair tries to make the meetings as comfortable and as easy to understand as possible.

At meetings, members hear the reports of the various officers and committees and about the activities of the Union since the last meeting. In addition, proposals for future changes are made and the membership may approve them, reject them, or make changes to them. Only an all-unit membership meeting may elect or recall members of the Executive Committee, or trustees; set the budget and receive financial reports; change the bylaws; change the strike or strike-fund policies; and make donations of more than $200. Only Unit meetings may elect or recall members of the bargaining committee; approve bargaining proposals; and approve the taking of strike or ratification votes.

The Stewards’ Council

Our bylaws empower the Stewards’ Council to act as a policy-making body and provide representation between membership meetings. Stewards’ Council is composed of Unit 1 and Unit 3 representatives from every Department (stewards), Unit 2 stewards from every Program, the Chief Steward (an Executive officer—non-voting), the Grievance Officer (an Executive officer—non-voting), five Unit 1 Divisional Stewards, three Unit 3 Divisional Stewards, one head Unit 2 Steward (Vic), one UTM steward, one Scarborough steward, and an Undergraduate Steward. Stewards meet monthly to discuss Union matters, and most Executive recommendations that come before the membership have already been through Stewards’ Council. It is vital that your Department have a Steward who attends Stewards’ Council, to ensure that your Union remains representative of your interests.

The Grievance Committee

In addition to Stewards’ Council, there is a separate Grievance Committee for the confidential discussion of grievances, which has the ability to recommend to the Executive whether a certain grievance ought to proceed to Arbitration. This Grievance Committee is composed of the Chair of the Union, two members of the Executive Committee, the Grievance Officer, and up to four stewards elected by Stewards’ Council. This committee advises and assists the Grievance Officer, Unit 3 Representative, and Staff Representatives throughout the grievance process.

The Executive Committee

Taking its direction from decisions of the membership and the Stewards’ Council, the Executive Committee ensures that the policies and decisions of the Union are implemented. The Executive will also bring proposals to the membership and stewards for changes in policy or direction.

The Executive consists of eight elected positions: the Chair (makes sure it all happens), the Vice-Chair (communications/research functions), the Secretary-Treasurer (in charge of money, records and communications), the Grievance Officer (handles grievances and helps members), the External Representative (represents the Local to the National Union and other labour bodies), the Liaison Officer (contact with campus and other groups), the Chief Steward (co-ordinates Stewards’ Council and does internal organising), and the Unit 3 Representative (assists with sessionals’ grievances/outreach) .

The Executive Committee manages the office’s day-to-day business, supervises the staff, and coordinates the Union’s work on grievances, arbitrations and other legal appeals. This committee also ensures that we are in contact with other unions and student organisations and that the Union is represented vis-à-vis the University Administration and various levels of government. All members in good standing of all units of the Union are eligible to run for any position on the Executive when it is reelected each spring at the Annual General Meeting, or when positions come open at by-elections. The only position reserved for a member of a particular unit is that of Unit 3 Representative.

The Finance Committee

The Finance Committee provides direction in the management of the Local’s finances, including ethical investment. To get involved, please contact: st@cupe3902.org .

Bargaining Committees

A Bargaining Committee is established in the year prior to the expiry of each of our three Collective Agreements. The committee must be composed of four bargaining unit members elected directly from the membership at a bargaining unit membership meeting, one Steward selected by Stewards’ Council, one Executive Committee member selected by the Executive, and the Chair of the Union, and is advised by one of the Staff Representatives. The committee develops bargaining proposals on the basis of consultations at membership meetings, departmental meetings and a survey, and reports regularly through The Guardian and the Bargaining Bulletin. During bargaining, there are reports at every membership meeting, and the decision to accept or reject a contract is made by the membership in a unit meeting. As well, the membership decides whether to take a strike vote or to go on strike. While the Bargaining Committee makes recommendations, the final say is in the hands of the members.

Bargaining Support Committees

During bargaining years (which will be 2008/2009 for Unit 1), a Bargaining Support Committee made up of volunteers from all units helps with outreach and communications to keep the membership informed, involved, and mobilized.

Quality of Education Committee

The Local’s long-term campaign includes addressing issues such as tutorial size, tuition fee increases, health and safety, graduate funding, and the University’s obligations to the health and quality of life of its employees. These issues are all part of the overall quality of education at the University of Toronto, as 3902 members are also often students as well as workers. This committee will be central to the strategy for the next round of collective bargaining for Unit 1. To get involved, please contact: chiefsteward@cupe3902.org.

Liaison Committee

This committee develops effective communication and outreach strategies for the Union membership, University community, and other campus student and labour organizations, in order to foster and strengthen relationships with our allies. To get involved, please contact: liaison@cupe3902.org .

Mobilization/Communication Committee

Presenting a united and articulate face to the public is vital to the Union’s long-term goals. MobCom works with staff to develop a communications strategy that will mobilize both CUPE 3902 members and our supporters in the University community. To get involved, please contact chf@cupe3902.org .

Newsletter Committee

The Union’s monthly newsmagazine, The Guardian, is written by members and produced by staff. By joining this committee, you can help determine the contents, look and feel of the newsletter, and improve communication with your colleagues. To get involved, please contact: comms@cupe3902.org.

Women’s Committee

The Women’s Committee works on issues of special concern to women both within the University community and more broadly in society, such as safety and equity. The Women’s Committee was instrumental in helping the Union get support for the two months’ paid pregnancy leave that is currently in the Collective Agreements of all three units. The work of this committee can have important repercussions for all of our members.

Visa Students’ Committee

Visa students comprise one-quarter of Unit 1 and face many discriminatory policies, such as differential fees and UHIP (the private for-profit "equivalent" to OHIP that visa students must purchase for themselves and their families). But visa students have the right to fully participate in trade union activity in Canada: to sign cards, attend meetings, serve as stewards/executive officers, file grievances, and participate in strikes. We have had significant participation from international students, and have been active in promoting their interests at UofT and with government.

Student Instructors’ Committee

A significant number of CUPE 3902 Unit 1 members teach theirown courses. This committee ensures that the Union’s policies reflect the needs and interests of Unit 1 course instructors.

Health and Safety Committees

As a UofT employee, you enjoy the right to a healthy workplace. You also have the right to refuse to do unsafe work. These rights are enshrined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Indoor air quality, poor ventilation, asbestos insulation (in Sidney Smith Hall, Ramsay Wright, etc.), vermin, repetitive strain injury, chemicals, radioactive materials, and heavy equipment are all potential health and safety threats. The Union’s work has helped create comprehensive health and safety training for all graduate students in Sciences and Engineering, and has helped to include students under UofT’s health and safety policy (though they are excluded by the legislation). The Union has representatives on UofT’s many Health and Safety Committees: the Union trains volunteers and your time on such committees is treated as work time (i.e. it is paid).

Political & Social Action Committee

The Political and Social Action Committee (PSAC) plans social justice activities on and beyond our campus. PSAC has its own budget and has supported or donated to various strikes, anti-globalization protests, and anti-war actions. To get involved, please contact: external@cupe3902.org .