• Local Offices

Local

The union has components across the country called locals. A local is made up of CUPW members in a defined area. It may include all members in a large city, one town or several small towns. Each local belongs to one of eight regions in CUPW.

Local Executive

Each local has a president and a number of other executive officers. The number of officers varies depending on the size of the local. The executive distributes union information, recruits stewards and reports at union and labour movement meetings. It also organizes local meetings, negotiation activities, campaign actions and strikes when necessary.

Local Meetings and Bylaws

Most locals have monthly membership meetings. Watch the union bulletin board at work to find out when your local meets. Locals have bylaws outlining the rules they use to operate.

Local Committees

Your local may have a number of committees that deal with legislative matters, organizing, grievances, education, women’s issues, human rights, pension and retiree benefits, and trustee issues (Section 9.17 to 9.24 of National Constitution).

Stewards

Stewards are the union’s representatives in the workplace. They help the local executive distribute information, organize activities and ensure that members’ rights are respected. If Canada Post has violated your rights under the contract, talk to your steward about filing a grievance (or local executive if there is no steward).

All members, including temporary workers, are eligible to be stewards. Talk to your local president if you think you would like to be steward or take a steward’s course.

Members

Members are people like you. As a dues paying member, you have a right to wages, benefits and working conditions, as spelled out in the contract, and to fully participate in the union (e.g. attend local meetings, take education courses, run for election as a local officer or delegate to national convention, etc.). With these rights come responsibilities. Please read union information, attend union meetings and participate in debates so that you can make informed decisions about local issues, negotiations, strikes, campaigns and other matters that affect you and your co-workers.