So what is Union Council and what does it do?
May 31, 2011 by Danielle Duguay
On CUPEU's website it says that the Union Council (UC) assumes authority of Union operations between general meetings. What does that mean? Essentially it means that we represent the membership between the general meetings. We meet six-to-seven times a year and at those meetings, each member of the Executive Committee reports on their activities to show us, and by extension, the membership, that they are fulfilling the obligations of their offices. The members of the Executive also use the UC as a sounding board on various issues that effect all of us.
Members of the UC serve on union committees, including those that address collective bargaining Negotiations, Labour Relations and Sustainability. We also serve on university committees that provide oversight on services such as Professional Development, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and issues such as Compensation Reform.
How does one get to sit on Union Council? It is a volunteer position, so raise your hand at the next General Assembly, if there is a request for members, or ask to get involved.
Why should you get involved? Isn't it more rewarding to help effect changes you think are important rather than feeling helpless?
Still not sure? Attend a Union Council meeting - all CUPEU members are allowed to observe Union Council meetings. We take the summer off but meet regularly during the school year, so check the dates on the CUPEU website front page calendar!
Union Council members are your colleagues. We are at the desk beside you, or a few cubicles over, so seek us out if you have a question.
Find us at Loyola:
Roberto Chen-Rangel (Arts & Science - Loyola)
Shoshana Kalfon (Arts & Science - Loyola)
Maureen Scully (Enrolment and Student Services - Loyola)
Find us at Sir George William:
Anna Barrafato (Counselling and Development)
David McKenzie (JMSB)
Danielle Duguay (Advancement/Alumni Relations)
Normand Lanthier (Environmental Health and Safety)
Sigmund Lam (Engineering & Computer Science)
Richard Melkonian (Institute for Cooperative Education)
Shailesh Prasad (Electrical and Computer Engineering)
Teresa Zuccaro (JMSB)
Danielle Duguay
Union Council Representative