Collective Presence
Last week I wrote about talking to your neighbor. About how the first step in any collective action isn’t a petition or a meeting or a demand. It’s a conversation with the person who already understands what you’re dealing with because they are sitting in the same meetings and wo
Report Changes to your Working Conditions
Remember to contact a Union staff representative or shop steward when there’s a unilateral change to your work at the college. A recent example was the message from BC HR […]
Talk to your Neighbor
I’m a Union staff member and honestly, I often have no idea what issues you as an individual are facing. Even when you tell me your issues directly, unless I worked in that department or I know those people, I’m going to have to reach to fully understand what is going on. I can h
Suspended Operations
We are encouraging members to check-in with your supervisor about your options to either work remotely or have an alternative work plan. New language in the contract, article 17.5, allows members the option to work remotely or an alternative work assignment when the college is fu
How You Shape What We Win Next Year
Breaking down your rights, benefits, and workplace protections How You Shape What We Win Next Year General Government and Higher Education just came out of a 1.5-year bargaining cycle. Members rejected the first offer, pushed for improvements, and stayed in it for months. In the
Why Representation Works Better When Members Participate
Breaking down your rights, benefits, and workplace protections Why Representation Works Better When Members Participate A lot of members ask some version of the same question. “What is the union doing for me?” “Why should I pay dues if you have to represent me anyway?” Those ques
Stewardship Can Be One Task
Breaking down your rights, benefits, and workplace protections Stewardship Can Be One Task When people hear the word “steward,” they often imagine someone who does everything. In reality, most of what stewards do can stand alone. A strong union is built by many people each carryi
Mandatory Subjects and Reporting Changes
Breaking down your rights, benefits, and workplace protections Mandatory Subjects and Reporting Changes Mandatory subjects are the core working conditions your employer must bargain with your union over. These include: Wages Hours Schedules Job duties Workplace policies Safety ru
Why Union Orientation Matters
Breaking down your rights, benefits, and workplace protections Why Union Orientation Matters Every new hire deserves to understand not just their job, but the community standing beside them. WPEA’s Union Orientation is where that understanding begins. Union orientation connects e
Know Your Rights During a Layoff
Breaking down your rights, benefits, and workplace protections Know Your Rights During a Layoff Layoffs are employer-initiated actions that may result in separation from service, reduction in hours, work year, or pay range. Across WPEA contracts, members share core rights and pro