Joint Workplace Health & Safety Committee.

A group of AUPE members organized into a branch of the larger union. Locals may be made up of all members employed at the same location or employer, members who share a “community of interest” across the province or a region or members doing similar work at many worksites. Large and geographically spread-out locals are divided into chapters. Each local has a democratically elected executive responsible for the local’s finances and activities.

A unionized worker represented by AUPE. Workers become AUPE members by becoming employed at a unionized workplace or when a majority of employees at a previously non-union worksite vote to join AUPE. Members have a right to fair representation and have opportunities to get involved in the democratic administration of their union.

A staff member of AUPE who assists members with workplace concerns and labour relations matters. Membership Services Officers, MSOs for short, work together with Union Stewards and may take over on matters that go beyond their scope, including grievance handling, contract interpretation, and local and chapter administration. MSOs may also assist with education courses offered to the membership or support collective bargaining.

The governing body of AUPE between Conventions. The Provincial Executive is made up of the Executive Committee and one elected member from each of AUPE’s 33 Locals. The Provincial Executive, commonly known as PE, meets at least six times a year to conduct the business of the union.

An AUPE member trained to represent and support other members. Stewards are often the first point of contact for members with their union. They are trained to help members understand their collective agreement and assist with workplace concerns, including challenging unfair discipline or dismissal. Any member can become a Union Steward by completing the necessary training.

An AUPE member who helps to distribute information from the union to their coworkers. Becoming a worksite contact is a good way to begin to get involved in AUPE. By receiving and distributing information to your coworkers, you can stay informed about the activities of your union while getting to know other members at your workplace.