Contents
- Name
- Membership Meetings
- Steward Representatives
- The Local Executive Committee (LEC)
- Election of Stewards and Officers
- Local Representation – Delegates and Alternate Delegates
- Financial Operation
- Local Hardship Fund
- Amendments
Preamble
OPSEU/SEFPO Local 415 steadfastly guards the working rights of College of Applied Arts and Technology – Academic (CAAT-A) employees at Algonquin College. Through member-focused, democratic leadership, we are guided by our pillars of education, advocacy, and activism to promote good working conditions to support quality post-secondary education. Truth and Reconciliation and equity are centred in all work, with specific attention to addressing anti-Indigenous racism and anti-Black racism. A commitment to solidarity grounds our engagement in the broader labour movement.
Article 1: Name
1.1 This organization shall be known as the Ontario Public Service Employees Union Local 415. OPSEU/SEFPO Local 415 is the academic union local representing full-time and partial-load Instructors, Professors, and Counsellors and Librarians of Algonquin College.
1.2 OPSEU/SEFPO Local 415 (the Local) Bylaws are in addition to the OPSEU/SEFPO Constitution (refer to Article 29, Bylaws for Local Unions) unless otherwise noted.
Article 2: Membership Meetings
2.1 The membership is the highest authority of the Local. General Membership Meetings (GMMs) of all members of the Local shall be convened at least two (2) times each year. Quorum shall be five percent (5%) of the Local membership.
2.2 The President shall chair all meetings of the Local. In the absence of the President, the First Vice-President or person designated by the Officers will chair such meetings.
2.3 Ten (10) calendar days notice shall be given for all regular and special meetings by the circulation of a copy of the proposed agenda to members.
Article 3: Steward Representatives
3.1 Stewards represent and defend the interests of the broader membership. Each Algonquin College campus (Ottawa, Pembroke, and Perth) may have one (1) Steward per twenty (20) members to serve on the Local Executive Committee (LEC).
3.2 Members shall elect Stewards from their own campus.
3.3 Stewards shall hold a two-year term on the LEC.
3.4 As per Article 8 of the OPSEU/SEFPO Constitution, each Steward has responsibilities and rights.
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3.4.1 Each Steward shall be responsible for representation of members in their working area, including the responsibility:
- to distribute information to the group
- to carry the group’s issues to the LEC
- to communicate LEC decisions to the group
- to enlist support of members of the group in workplace actions and Union campaigns
- to prepare and investigate grievances from the group
3.4.2 To carry out these responsibilities, each Steward shall have the right:
- of access to LEC meetings
- to be informed of the status and disposition of grievances
- to high quality education and training necessary to effectively exercise all their responsibilities
Article 4: The Local Executive Committee (LEC)
4.1 The Local Executive Committee (LEC) is the governing body of the Local. The LEC is composed of Stewards.
4.2 The Officers of the LEC shall be Stewards; the Officers shall consist of a President, a First Vice-President, a Second Vice-President, a Chief Steward, a Treasurer, and a Secretary.
4.3 LEC meetings shall occur a minimum of six (6) times per year with no more than three (3) months between any two meetings. Quorum shall be fifty percent (50%) of the LEC.
4.4 Stewards must notify the Local Office Administrator before missing an LEC meeting. Subject to the discretion of the President, any LEC member who has missed three (3) consecutive meetings without notification, may be considered to have vacated the position.
4.5 Between membership meetings, the LEC shall be the highest authority of the Local and shall be empowered to act on behalf of the membership.
4.6 Between meetings of the LEC, the President (or the First Vice-President or person designated by the Officers) shall exercise general administrative authority and shall be empowered to act on behalf of the membership and LEC.
Article 5: Election of Stewards and Officers
5.1 Only members in good standing are eligible to seek election in the Local. Members who have previously had their membership in OPSEU/SEFPO suspended must declare such a state to the membership before running for any elected position.
5.2 Elections shall occur in two phases in even calendar years (i.e., 2024, 2026, etc.). A neutral and unbiased Election Moderator shall be appointed by the LEC.
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5.2.1 Steward elections shall occur in April of an election year.
5.2.2 Officer elections shall occur after Stewards have been elected.
5.3 Elections for Stewards shall open for nominations fourteen (14) calendar days before an April Steward election.
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5.3.1 Steward nomination forms may be obtained from the Local office and on the Local website.
5.3.2 Elections of Stewards, if needed, shall be conducted by secret ballot in the campus of the members concerned.
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5.4 Elections for Officers shall open for nominations fourteen (14) calendar days before the Election GMM to be scheduled in May, after Steward positions have been determined. Eligible candidates for Officer positions must first have been elected Stewards of the Local.
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5.4.1 Officer nomination forms may be obtained from the Local office, on the Local website, or in person at the Election GMM.
5.4.2 Candidates who wish to submit campaign material for approval and posting to the Local website and distribution to the membership before the Election GMM may do so until five (5) calendar days before the Election GMM. Campaign materials may include a written biography of no more than 250 words, a photo, and a one (1) minute video. All campaign materials shall be honest and accurate, in keeping with the OPSEU/SEFPO Statement of Respect.
5.4.3 Elections of Officers, if needed, shall be conducted by secret ballot at the Election GMM.
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5.5 No Local resources of any kind are to be used for campaigning. Candidates who violate this rule may be disqualified
5.6 Stewards and Officers who have been elected shall take office at the LEC meeting immediately following the Election GMM, no later than June 1.
Article 6: Local Representation – Delegates and Alternate Delegates
6.1 As per the OPSEU/SEFPO Constitution, the Local President shall be the first Delegate automatically. If the Local President is unable to attend, the First Vice-President becomes the automatic first Delegate.
6.2 Delegates and Alternate Delegates shall be elected at the Election GMM. Nomination forms may be obtained from the Local office, on the Local website, or in person at the Election GMM.
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6.2.1 Any Algonquin College CAAT-A member in good standing may be nominated and elected as a Delegate or Alternate Delegate to the following:
- the Annual OPSEU/SEFPO Convention
- Region 4 Meeting
- CAAT-A Divisional Meeting
- OPSEU/SEFPO Ottawa Area Council
- Trustees
6.2.2 The number of Delegates and Alternate Delegates is determined by the OPSEU/SEFPO Constitution formula; all Delegates and Alternate Delegates shall be ranked in order of the total votes received.
6.3 For any other positions representing the Local’s interests, the President, in consultation with the Officers, shall appoint a member in good standing to that role.
Article 7: Financial Operation
7.1 Transparency and accountability guide all financial decisions of the Local. All funds of Local 415 shall be used only for legitimate trade union purposes.
7.2 Local expenditures may be made by pre-authorized payments, online banking, or cheque.
7.3 The signing Officers of the Local shall be the President and Treasurer and any third Officer appointed by the President.
7.4 The Treasurer shall present a financial report at every GMM and at every second LEC meeting.
7.5 No individual Officer of the Local shall have the power to incur any indebtedness on its behalf or appropriate any money without authority from these bylaws or from the general membership.
7.6 The Local shall indemnify, protect and defend the Officers and employee(s) from and against all costs, charges and expenses that they sustain or incur, or about or arising from, or in relation to the affairs of the Local except those costs, charges, or expenses thereof as are occasioned by their own willful neglect or default.
7.7 All property of the Local (i.e., laptop, phone, etc.) shall be used appropriately and returned to the Local when a term ends.
7.8 Any capital expenditure of $750 or more must be declared to the LEC.
Article 8: Local Hardship Fund
8.1 The purpose of the Local Hardship Fund is to provide financial assistance for members in good standing who find themselves in dire circumstances.
8.2 These procedures do not apply during a strike.
8.3 The Officers of the Local shall administer the Local Hardship Fund and be responsible for establishing and amending the criteria to access this fund. The criteria must then be approved by the LEC (Local Stewards).
8.4 Decisions about funds’ distribution shall be by a majority vote of the Officers,
8.5 Confidentiality of a member seeking access to the Hardship Fund will be maintained at all times during the process.
Article 9: Amendments
9.1 These bylaws may be amended or supplemented (including additions or deletions) by presenting the amendments in writing to the LEC before presentation at a GMM.
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9.1.1 All amendments must be provided in full and publicized at least ten (10) calendar days prior to a GMM. If approved by two-thirds of the membership present and voting, the amendments will be considered adopted.
9.2 These bylaws and any amendments, supplements, additions, or deletions to these bylaws shall become effective upon approval by the President of the OPSEU/SEFPO in accordance with the OPSEU/SEFPO Constitution.
Provisions of these bylaws have been struck through as they were not approved by OPSEU/SEFPO. (Articles 4.4, 7.3, 7.6 and 7.8).