For members within one of OPSEU/SEFPO’s Seven Regions, the local union serves as the primary connection between members and the broader organization. It advocates on behalf of employees in their workplace and is led by representatives chosen through member elections, including stewards, the local president, executive officers, convention delegates, and others. The local is often the first opportunity for members to become active in union affairs and has the independence and resources to address the priorities and concerns of its membership.
The general membership holds the highest decision-making authority within the local and may initiate or direct any actions that align with the local’s bylaws and the OPSEU/SEFPO Constitution. Between membership meetings, the Local Executive Committee (LEC) is responsible for making decisions on behalf of the membership.
Shop stewards act as the union’s primary representatives in the workplace. Members determine the number of stewards required and how they will be assigned throughout the workplace. Stewards are elected by the membership and must receive a majority of votes to be chosen.
The Local Executive Committee is elected by the general membership from among the elected shop stewards. As a result, every member of the LEC has first been elected as a steward. The committee must include a president and at least two additional officers, such as a vice-president, secretary, treasurer, or secretary-treasurer. In addition, each bargaining unit selects one unit steward from its group of shop stewards to serve on the LEC.
How do locals receive funding?
- Local unions are financed through members’ union dues, with a portion of those dues being returned directly to the local.
- OPSEU/SEFPO provides quarterly rebate payments to locals based on the number of members who have signed union cards. These payments are distributed four times per year—in January, April, July, and October. Composite locals receive additional funding to account for their larger and more complex organizational needs.
- The amount of the rebate is reviewed and adjusted each year.
- As an example, a typical OPSEU/SEFPO local with approximately 250 members may receive close to $15,000 per year to support its operations and activities.
What are local union funds used for?
Within OPSEU/SEFPO, the majority of member-related expenses are paid by the central union. This includes costs such as travel, accommodations, meals, and compensation for lost wages when members participate in conventions, training programs, bargaining meetings, grievance proceedings, and other union-related activities.
As a result, local funds are generally available for initiatives and expenses determined by the local membership. These may include sending additional observers to conventions, providing childcare services or refreshments at meetings, producing newsletters and communications, or supporting other local priorities. Locals may also choose to contribute to community organizations and causes, such as food banks, youth sports teams, or charitable programs. In addition, some locals establish their own strike funds to supplement the strike pay provided by the central union. Decisions about how these funds are allocated are made at the local level.
OPSEU/SEFPO’s Seven Regions
A democratic structure that supports and connects locals
OPSEU/SEFPO organizes Ontario into seven regions to ensure democratic representation throughout the union and to provide support and resources closer to local members. The first digit of a local’s number identifies the region it belongs to. For example, Local 474 is part of Region 4.
The union’s Executive Board is elected through the regional structure. Every two years, locals send delegates to their regional meeting, where three representatives are elected to serve on the Executive Board. One of these representatives is chosen to serve as the Regional Vice-President. During the same election cycle, convention delegates elect the union’s two full-time senior officers—the President and the First Vice-President/Treasurer—from among the 21 elected Executive Board Members (EBMs).
Executive Board Members provide an important connection between local unions and the Executive Board, which is the union’s highest governing body between conventions and plays a key role in shaping OPSEU/SEFPO policies and decisions.
A wide range of union activities are also organized at the regional level. These include educational and training programs designed to help members develop skills in areas such as financial management, communications, health and safety advocacy, grievance representation, human rights initiatives, and campaign organizing.
Each region is supported by several regional offices staffed by union representatives. These staff members assist locals with collective bargaining, grievance administration, local operations, and a variety of other services that help strengthen and support local unions.