Staff Representative

About this position

WE ARE: CUPE 1281 is a chartered Local Union of the Canadian Union of Public Employees; a small grassroots Local that represents approximately 300 members with more than 46 separate collective agreements that govern workplace relations in 50 workplace locations. Our team includes one full-time staff representative, one part-time staff representative, one administrative coordinator/assistant staff representative, an eight-person elected executive, sub-local stewards, and member committees. We are dedicated to the promotion of social justice issues and advancing the rights of workers in a respectful, friendly and thoughtful workplace culture.

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE: You are experienced labour relations professional, believe in the principles of progressive trade unionism and social justice, and want to join us in promoting these values in the workplace and in broader society.

SALARY: $37/hour. Benefits include: hybrid work and flexible hours, matching RRSP, professional development allowance, healthcare cost reimbursement, cell phone stipend and monthly work/travel stipend. This position is unionized under the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW).

DURATION: This is a full-time permanent position.

HOURS OF WORK: 35 hours per week. Primarily daytime hours but with flexible scheduling, including some evening meetings and occasional travel.

LOCATION: Main office is located at 25 Wood St, in downtown Toronto. Position includes a balance of both remote and some in-office work as needed.

REQUIREMENTS:

The selected candidate must be able to perform the following duties and other related duties:

1. Membership Service: The Staff Representative is a resource person and advisor for members with work related problems. In this regard, the Staff Representative shall a) provide assistance and accurate advice with grievances and discipline; b) advise members as to their rights and obligations under relevant legislation and regulations, the Collective Agreement, CUPE National Constitution and the Local’s By-laws.

2. Grievances, representation, arbitrations, and other legal matters: The Staff Representative advises and represents members; investigates, prepares, presents and represents members in grievances with the assistance of Stewards and Executive officers; and assists with arbitrations, Labour Relations Board (or equivalent) proceedings and makes determinations on the merit and filing of grievances or resolving workplace/policy issues in alternative formats.

3. Contract Negotiations: The Staff Representative is the Chief Negotiator for sub-local bargaining teams and is the lead for all tasks associated with contract negotiations, including research, drafting of contract proposals, bargaining, organizing around the bargaining process, conciliation, mediation, and preparation for job action.

4. Resource to the Executive: The Staff Representative is a resource person and advisor to the local Executive and assists it in the carrying out of its duties. The Staff Representative will, unless otherwise advised, attend monthly Executive meetings, and shall report to the meeting, as deemed appropriate by the Executive. When requested, the Staff Representative shall attend membership and sub-local membership meetings, and Local committee meetings.

5. External Liaison: The Staff Representative is a liaison between the Local and the Local's Employers and other affiliated groups, including unions, associations, and students’ unions.

6. Office Administration: The Staff Representative will aid the Local President, and Administrative Coordinator to ensure efficient operation of the Local’s Office in all administrative matters. The Staff Representative shall also assist in the training of the Assistant Staff Representative.

7. It is understood that the emphasis placed on the tasks in this job description may vary from time to time based on the needs of the Local. Setting of priorities shall be done in consultation with the Part-Time Staff-Representative and the Local President.

8. This job requires the employee to travel to different parts of the province, and to work evenings and the occasional weekend as required and agreed to. The workspace is flexible and the office space available is sometimes shared.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Post-secondary education in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of education and directly related work experience in labour relations.

• Experience with trade unions and small social justice organizations is required.

• Direct experience in grievances, collective bargaining and other labour relations work including discipline, and membership representation.

• Ability to effectively establish priorities and meet deadlines while working in a high-pressure work setting as demonstrated through experience in progressively responsible assignments.

• Excellent relationship management skills, including listening, advocating, negotiating, advising and conflict resolution, and situation-appropriate assertiveness are required.

• Understanding of collective bargaining, the Labour Relations Act, employment standards, workplace dynamics and the value of public services is required.

• Demonstrated knowledge of an anti-oppression framework and the ability to ensure communications and membership outreach are inclusive to the multiple needs of members

• Initiative, demonstrated organizational abilities, a high degree of accuracy, and the ability to work with minimal supervision.

• Above average oral and written communication skills in the English language

• Experience working with a variety of computer software, such as Google Workspace, Zoom, Word.

CUPE Local 1281 is committed to a diverse, equitable and inclusive workspace. As part of our commitment to employment equity, CUPE 1281 encourages applications from qualified members of five designated groups: women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, racialized people and LGBTQ2+ people.

Deadline for Applications: 12pm on Monday October 24th, 2022

Interviews: To be scheduled remotely                                                           

Estimated Start Date: Flexible