owner’s manual
ALBERTA UNION OF PROVINCIAL EMPLOYEES
Your Guide to How Your Union Works
Contents
Welcome
3
History of AUPE
4
Role of AUPE
5
AUPE’s Four Sectors
6
Your Collective Agreement
7
How AUPE Union Stewards Protect You
8
How AUPE is Organized
9
How AUPE is Financed
AUPE Services
12
How to Get Involved in AUPE
How to Contact AUPE
2
11
2
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Welcome to AUPE
Welcome to membership in the Alberta Union of
Provincial Employees (AUPE) — your union.
From humble beginnings as the Civil Service Association
of Alberta in 1919, AUPE has grown to be Alberta’s
largest union, with more than 72,000 members. This
happened because AUPE works for its members and has
established a good reputation.
But AUPE not only works for you, it works because of you. It is the
strength, unity and determination of our union’s members that makes
membership in AUPE worthwhile. Because of members like you, AUPE
is one of the most effective unions in Alberta when it comes to winning
and enforcing collective agreements that ensure members receive the
wages and benefits that they deserve.
This is true at every level of our union. AUPE’s elected officers, the people
who direct our union, are members just like you who have been voted into their
positions. Likewise, the Convention delegates who establish the policies of our
union are members like you who have been elected by their co-workers.
Remember, AUPE is your union. And you are AUPE!
3
History of AUPE
Today, AUPE is Alberta’s largest union, representing more than 72,000 members throughout
Alberta. But our union had a modest beginning.
AUPE began as the Civil Service Association of Alberta on March 26, 1919. The CSA was
incorporated under the Alberta Societies Act by just 400 founding members and remained the
only voice of Alberta government employees for almost half a century.
In 1968, a piece of legislation called the Civil Service Association of Alberta Act severely restricted
the organization in its structure as well as its ability to act on behalf of its members. After eight
years of lobbying by members, this act was repealed in 1976. The Alberta Union of Provincial
Employees was immediately formed as a successor organization.
On June 14, 1976, AUPE took over all rights, responsibilities and assets of the CSA. In 1977, the
restrictions imposed by the previous legislation were finally removed. At a historic convention in
November 1977, a new constitution was approved and AUPE was established as an autonomous
independent union.
However, as a public sector union, AUPE has continued to operate under restrictive legislation. The
Public Service Employee Relations Act, passed in 1977; the Alberta Labour Relations Code, last revised
in 2003; and the Labour Relations (Regional Health Authorities Restructuring) Amendment Act and
Regulations, passed in 2003, all deny full collective bargaining rights to public sector employees.
AUPE continues to work hard to see full bargaining rights extended to all of its members, and to
all working people in Alberta.
4
The Role of AUPE
A union is a group of working people who have joined together to deal with employers about such issues as
wages, benefits and conditions of work. Unions negotiate collective agreements on behalf of their members.
Collective agreements are legally binding contracts between a union on behalf of a group of employees and
an employer. When an effective bargaining relationship is established between a union and an employer,
employees and employers both benefit. Employees are able to negotiate through the union, with the strength
of numbers behind them. Employers gain the benefit of a stable labour-relations climate.
The alternative, without a union, is for each employee to deal with his or her employer as an individual
— from a position of weakness — or to face the expense and uncertainty of hiring a lawyer. This
inevitably gives rise to favouritism, inequalities and other problems in the workplace. Statistics
Canada figures show year after year that union members enjoy more secure jobs, earn more
money, have more and better benefits, and get more generous vacations than non-union
employees.
When working people join the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, they are joining the largest,
most accessible and most effective union in Alberta. AUPE ensures that the fair and reasonable
conditions won in past collective agreements remain in force. Provisions such as hours of work,
seniority, paid vacations and illness leave — the legacy of years of union bargaining history
— remain part of your working conditions today because AUPE monitors them and enforces
compliance. In addition to enforcing your current working conditions, AUPE is committed to
improving your work environment through negotiations. AUPE’s education program for members,
conferences, conventions and even its social activities are all centred around this important goal.
By having AUPE negotiate for us, all of us get a better deal than we ever could on our own. By being
members of AUPE and working together, we ensure that we are treated with respect and dignity at work.
5
AUPE’s Four Sectors
AUPE’s members work directly for the provincial government, health regions and organizations,
educational facilities, boards and agencies, local governments and private companies. They work in
occupations as varied as clerical, technical, corrections, front-line nursing, health facility support roles,
social services and environmental protection. AUPE’s members even include several actual cowboys!
For administrative purposes, AUPE divides its members into four basic sectors:
The Provincial Government Sector Approximately 23,000 of AUPE’s members are direct
employees of the Government of Alberta. A Master Agreement covers all members of this group,
and individual Subsidiary Agreements deal with the special occupational requirements of
members of each of the sector’s nine locals.
The Health Care Sector The approximately 36,000 members of the Health Care Sector are
employed by the Alberta Health Services “superboard” as well as continuing-care employers
in the public, not-for-profit and private sectors. Members in this sector work mostly in Auxiliary
Nursing Care and General Support Services, and are employed in Acute Care, Long Term Care,
Mental Health and Community Health roles in every corner of Alberta.
The Education Sector Approximately 8,000 AUPE members work as non-academic staff for 14 Alberta
universities, technical institutes and community colleges, plus three school districts. Examples include employees
of NAIT and SAIT, the Universities of Calgary, Lethbridge and Athabasca, the Alberta College of Art and
Design and the Edmonton Catholic Separate School District.
The Boards, Agencies and Local Governments Sector About 5,000 AUPE members are employed by such
boards, agencies and local governments as the Alberta Research Council, the Alberta Gaming and Liquor
Commission, ATB Financial and the County of Strathcona.
6
Your Collective Agreement
A collective agreement is a legally binding contract between a union — negotiating on behalf of a group of workers — and an
employer. AUPE’s collective agreements set out such things as wages, overtime pay, job security, sick leave, long-term disability
insurance, layoff and recall rights, standby pay, health benefits, clothing allowances, maternity, paternity and adoption leave,
vacations and hours of work. Similar wording can be found in most collective agreements, but specific rights and entitlements
are negotiated to address the unique needs of your bargaining unit. With about 100 bargaining units in four major sectors,
AUPE collective agreements must reflect the specific needs of a very wide variety of individual units. As an example, AUPE
negotiates the largest single collective agreement in Alberta, the Master Agreement and nine Subsidiary Agreements that
comprise the contract negotiated on behalf of approximately 23,000 direct employees of the Government of Alberta.
In addition to this contract, and the huge agreements AUPE negotiates with Alberta Health Services on behalf of Auxiliary
Nursing Care and General Support Service employees, the union bargains agreements for working units as small as a few
dozen members! Because AUPE negotiates so many agreements — bargaining literally never stops for our union — our
professional staff has enormous experience and expertise in conducting contract negotiations. Collective agreements are
negotiated to cover a specific period of time — typically three or four years.
As an AUPE member, you have the opportunity to take part in the process of setting
bargaining priorities in each round of negotiations. Under Alberta labour law, notice
to commence bargaining may be served on your employer up to 120
days before your current agreement expires. But negotiations usually
continue for some time before a new agreement is reached between
the union and employer bargaining teams. During that time, the terms
of your old agreement remain in effect. Once a tentative agreement
has been signed by the bargaining teams, it must be ratified in a
secret-ballot vote by members of the bargaining unit. If a majority
of the bargaining unit’s eligible voters, and the employer, ratify the
agreement, it will be signed by the President of AUPE.
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How AUPE Union Stewards Protect You
In addition to pay, job security and other benefits set out in AUPE collective agreements, your union stands
ready to represent you at your workplace. AUPE is visible in your workplace through our network of Union
Stewards. Our goal is to have a Union Steward in every AUPE worksite.
Union Stewards are union activists who are trained to help union members resolve a wide range of problems
and issues with their employers, and to enforce contracts in your interest. Their key job is to make sure your
employer lives up to the terms of your collective agreement. Union Stewards are prepared to assist
you if you feel you have been the victim of harassment, unfair discipline or if your employer has
been ignoring provisions of your collective agreement to deny you benefits to which you are
entitled. Get to know the Union Stewards in your workplace. Never hesitate to bring your
concerns to them. This is your right under all AUPE collective agreements. Remember that
your Union Steward is your first line of defence if there should ever be a problem related to
your employment.
Often, Union Stewards can resolve workplace problems with ease. However, if a problem
proves to be more difficult, the steward has the option of bringing in an AUPE Membership
Services Officer to assist. If a problem still cannot be satisfactorily resolved, AUPE’s collective
agreements provide specific steps for filing a grievance.
Depending on the nature of the grievance and your status as an employee, the final step may be arbitration.
If that happens, both sides of the dispute are heard by a third party, and the decision handed down is binding on the union and the
employer alike. Never forget that if you are being disciplined by a supervisor you have the right to have a Union Steward present.
If you have questions about your collective agreement, your Union Steward is your first source of information. If you do not know the
name of your Union Steward, it is often posted along with other information from AUPE on the union bulletin board in your workplace.
If you cannot find the information you need there, call AUPE on our toll-free line, 1-800-232-7284, or e-mail [email protected].
8
How AUPE is Organized
Governing and operating an organization as large and varied as AUPE is a complex task.
Constitution AUPE’s Constitution contains the rules by which our union is governed. The AUPE Constitution can only be
amended by a vote of not less than two-thirds of the delegates present and voting at the union’s Convention.
Convention AUPE’s ultimate governing body is its Convention. Each local is entitled to send one delegate for every 100
members to the Convention, which is usually held each year in Edmonton. At Convention, policies are established, the budget is
determined and, in election years, Executive Committee officers are elected by a vote of the delegates.
Executive Committee In odd-numbered years, Convention elects a six-member Executive Committee — made up of the
President, the Executive Secretary-Treasurer and four Vice-Presidents. The President and Executive Secretary-Treasurer serve
as full-time officers of the union, while Vice-Presidents get time off with pay as required. The President is AUPE’s full-time chief
executive officer and spokesperson, assigning duties and responsibilities to other executive officers. The Executive SecretaryTreasurer is the full-time chief financial officer, responsible for financial records and ensuring that expenditures comply with the
budget passed by Convention.
Provincial Executive The Provincial Executive, made up of the Executive Committee and one elected member
from each of AUPE’s 32 Locals, is the governing body of AUPE between conventions. The Provincial
Executive, commonly known as the PE, meets at least six times a year to conduct the
business of the union.
Standing Committees AUPE has 13 standing committees established by
the union’s Constitution to advise the Provincial Executive. The committees
are usually chaired by a member of the Executive Committee and their
members are drawn from the membership of AUPE.
(continued on page 10)
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How AUPE is Organized continued
• Finance Committee advises on the administration and finances of
AUPE, and ensures proper records are kept.
• Legislative Committee advises on the Constitution, policies of AUPE
and related legislative issues.
• Members’ Benefits Committee administers the Members’ Benefits
Benevolent Fund for members in temporary or urgent distress, as
well as the Members’ Education Assistance Fund.
• Membership Services Committee advises on matters relating to the
delivery of services to members and promotes the training of union
members and stewards.
• Committee on Political Action promotes education and social
action on matters of political concern.
• Human Rights Committee promotes awareness and supports
action on issues related to human rights.
• Anti-Privatization Committee promotes education of members and
the public on privatization and contracting-out.
• Pay & Social Equity Committee educates members, lobbies and
conducts research on matters related to pay equity.
• Occupational Health & Safety Committee deals with workplace
safety, Workers Compensation and long-term disability.
• Pension Committee concerns itself with issues related to members’
pensions.
• Women’s Committee promotes education on issues of equality and
discrimination pertaining to women.
• Young Activists Committee advises on matters of concern to youth
and union members under 30 years of age.
• Environment Committee promotes awareness
of environmental issues.
Locals and Chapters AUPE is organized into locals and chapters to aid collective bargaining and contract
administration. Locals are administrative components of the union. Members of some locals work at one
location in a variety of jobs. Other AUPE locals encompass a large number of employees who share a
“community of interest” across the province or a region. Still others represent employees doing similar
work at many worksites, often with several collective agreements. Large and geographically spread-out
locals are often divided into chapters to make bargaining and contract administration easier. Some large
locals at one worksite are divided into chapters for administrative reasons. Each local and chapter has a
democratically elected executive.
Area Councils Area Councils are set up geographically to serve the social needs of AUPE members. They
are financed by AUPE headquarters to organize curling bonspiels, Christmas parties, picnics and other
social activities.
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How AUPE is Financed
AUPE is financed by all of us, the members who enjoy the benefits of
an AUPE collective agreement and union representation.
Each of us pays 1.25 per cent of our basic salary to AUPE in the form
of tax-deductible union dues. This rate, which is lower than that paid by
most members of other unions in Alberta, may only be amended by a
two-thirds vote of delegates at Convention. AUPE members do not pay
dues on overtime or premium payments.
Your democratically elected delegates to Convention also approve
AUPE’s budget, which generally indicates how our money will be spent.
Between Conventions, the Provincial Executive monitors spending.
AUPE presents audited financial statements to all members each year
through the union’s Impact publication.
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AUPE Services
Contract Negotiations The principal job of AUPE is to negotiate collective agreements. AUPE has been bargaining contracts
for years, and has the experts and experience to get the best possible deals. Wage increases, hours of work, overtime pay,
statutory holidays, sick leave, pensions, health benefits, layoff and recall rules — all these and many more benefits are won
through the negotiation process. And it’s you, the members, who decide AUPE’s bargaining goals and priorities.
Labour Relations While the front line of defence for union members in the workplace is the Union Steward, all
AUPE members have access to our full-time union staff. AUPE’s labour relations staff members are trained to
solve problems in a wide range of areas, including interpreting contracts, handling grievances and assisting
with return-to-work and Workers Compensation issues. They have the legal and technical expertise to make sure
employers observe the terms of your collective agreement, and to represent you in grievance hearings when a
mutually satisfactory agreement to a dispute cannot be reached. They also have specific expertise with worksite
safety issues. If you have a safety concern, you should immediately contact your worksite health and safety
representative or a Membership Services Officer.
Union Education AUPE runs an extensive union education program that benefits hundreds of members
each year. AUPE teaches three levels of Union Steward skills, contract interpretation, occupational health
and safety, union officer training, organizing and many other topics. AUPE also holds a week-long Labour
Education School in Jasper or Kananaskis each year for more than 200 active members. AUPE’s education
program is recognized as among the best offered by a union anywhere in Canada.
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Members’ Benefits Fund Sometimes an AUPE member faces an emergency that qualifies for last-resort financial assistance
from the union. The Members’ Benefits Benevolent Fund, administered by a committee of AUPE members, was created to
help with such dire situations. If you face an emergency that requires financial assistance, you can seek help from the fund
by approaching your Union Steward or a Membership Services Officer. Only they can submit requests for assistance. The
committee considers each application in strict confidence.
Communications and Publicity Keeping you up-to-date and informed on matters related to your employment is an important
priority of AUPE. Your union produces many publications that are mailed to members’ homes or distributed at worksites. AUPE
also issues frequent news releases, and prints promotional materials to support members’ bargaining goals and inform
the public of key union positions. AUPE also uses its Website — www.aupe.org — to be accessible to members.
You can use the Website to get the latest information on bargaining, union activities, discounts and other
sites of interest, as well as to read current copies of all AUPE collective agreements.
Member Discounts AUPE has arrangements with many businesses —
from hotels to insurance companies, auto dealers to cellular phone
service providers — that offer significant savings to AUPE members. A
list of businesses offering discounts can be found on www.aupe.org.
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How to Get Involved in AUPE
AUPE depends on members like you to be an effective organization. So, naturally, you are encouraged to become active in
AUPE. The best way to start playing an active role in your union is by attending local and chapter meetings. Taking part in your
union’s meetings allows you to have a direct voice in the direction taken by AUPE. Union meetings are the best way to find out
in detail what is happening with your employer, with your fellow members and at worksites throughout Alberta. Notices of union
meetings are normally sent to your home or posted in your workplace.
It is at the local level that members are chosen to be delegates to AUPE’s Convention — one for every 100 members of the
union. Also at the local level, members are chosen to take part in other important union activities such as conferences, education
courses and committees. AUPE needs leaders at every worksite. Our effectiveness as a
strong advocate for our members depends on leadership at every level. Typically, worksite
union leaders serve their co-workers in one of three ways:
•Local or Chapter Officers Members of local and chapter executives are elected for a
two-year term. They administer the component and ensure that the needs of members
are being met.
•Union Stewards Union Stewards are the representatives of their co-workers and their
union in the workplace. It is a demanding and rewarding job. AUPE will train you to
be effective in this important role.
•Worksite Contacts AUPE maintains a list of worksite contacts who will distribute
union newsletters and other materials in the worksite to other members, and who can
assist with union campaigns in their communities.
If you’re interested in becoming more active in union affairs — or if you just need more information about AUPE — call your
regional office or AUPE Headquarters. You can reach most union offices by calling AUPE’s toll-free number, 1-800-232-7284.
You can also request information by email at [email protected].
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How to Contact AUPE
In addition to Union Stewards and Worksite Contacts in almost every workplace, AUPE has offices located throughout Alberta.
AUPE’s Area Councils, which arrange social events for members in a geographical area, may be contacted through the regional
office nearest to you. Most AUPE offices may be called toll-free from anywhere in Alberta at 1-800-232-7284.
Headquarters
Solidarity Place
10451 - 170 Street
Edmonton Alberta, T5P 4S7
Phone: 780-930-3300
Toll-free: 1-800-232-7284 press 1
Fax: 780-930-3392
Toll Free Fax: 1-888-388-AUPE (2873)
Edmonton City Centre Office
First Edmonton Place
520, 10665 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 3S9
Phone: 780-414-7960
Fax: 780-428-4879
Northwest Regional Office
2nd Floor, 10036 – 100 Street
Box 6895
Peace River, Alberta, T8S 1S6
Phone: 780-624-2424
Fax: 780-624-4859
Toll Free: 1-800-232-7284 press 2
Grande Prairie Regional Office
102, 9815 – 101 Avenue
Grande Prairie, Alberta, T8V 0X6
Phone: 780-513-3520
Fax: 780-532-0580
Toll Free: 1-800-232-7284 press 9
East Central Regional Office
4704F – 49 Avenue
Camrose, Alberta, T4V 3K9
Phone: 780-672-8877
Fax: 780-672-2296
Toll Free: 1-800-232-7284 press 4
Athabasca Office
Calgary Regional Office
Central Regional Office
Southern Regional Office
Box 553
Athabasca, Alberta, T9S 2A5
Phone: 780-675-2033
Fax: 780-675-3727
Toll Free: 1-800-232-7284 press 5
101, 4719 – 48 Avenue
Red Deer, Alberta, T4N 3W9
Phone: 403-343-2100
Fax: 403-340-1210
Toll Free: 1-800-232-7284 press 6
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600, 1816 Crowchild Trail NW
Calgary, Alberta, T2M 3Y7
Phone: 403-531-8600
Fax: 403-283-7328
Toll Free: 1-800-232-7284 press 7
203, 1921 Mayor Magrath Drive S.
Lethbridge, Alberta, T1K 2R8
Phone: 403-329-1210
Fax: 403-327-5827
Toll Free: 1-800-232-7284 press 8
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www.aupe.org