Officers Roles

The President shall:

  • Enforce the CUPE Constitution and these bylaws;
  • Preside at all Membership and Executive Meetings and preserve order;
  • Decide all points of order and procedure (subject always to appeal to appeal to the membership);
  • Have a vote on all matters (except appeals against his rulings) and in case of a tie vote in any matters (including elections), have the right to cast an additional vote to break the tie;
  • Assign duties to each of the Vice-President;
  • Ensure that all Officers perform their assigned duties;
  • Fill committee vacancies where elections aren’t provided for;
  • Be a member of the Negotiation and Grievance Committees when this committee is struck;
  • Be an ex-officio member of all committees;
  • Be the official spokesperson to deal directly with the Employer in all written and verbal communications for the Local and its members, other than grievances;
  • Introduce new members and conduct them through the initiation ceremony;
  • Sign all cheques and ensure that the Local’s fund are used only as authorized or directed by the Constitution, By-Laws, or vote of the membership;
  • Be allowed necessary funds, not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00) monthly, to reimburse themselves or any Officers for expenses supported by vouchers, incurred on behalf of the Local;
  • Have first preference as a delegate to the CUPE National Convention.

First Vice President shall:

  • Perform all the duties of the President if the President is absent or incapacitated;
  • Be Acting President until a new President is elected should the office fall vacant;
  • Render assistance to any member of the UEC as directed by the UEC.
  • Ensure proper communication of meetings, reports, audit material, and matters of interest to the Local’s trustees;
  • Audit internally the ongoing financial records, statements and receipts held by the Secretary-Treasurer on a monthly basis;
  • Audit internally the ongoing record of meetings and correspondence held by the Recording Secretary on a monthly basis;
  • Bring forward all discrepancies or matters of interest arising from these duties to the President and UEC members;
  • Act upon all duties assigned by the President.
  • In partnership with the Recording Secretary, provide oversight and coordinate training needs for the Local
  • Be a member of the Labour Management Committee

Second Vice President shall:

  • Perform all the duties of the President if both the President and First Vice-President are absent or incapacitated;
  • Be Acting first Vice-President if the office of the first Vice-President becomes vacant or if the office of the President becomes vacant and the first Vice-President assumes those duties, until an election is held;
  • Render assistance to any member of the UEC as directed by the UEC;
  • Bring forward all discrepancies or matters of interest arising from these duties to the President and UEC members;
  • Act upon all duties assigned by the President.
  • Perform all duties of the Recording Secretary if the Recording Secretary is absent or incapacitated
  • Be a members of the Bylaw Review Committee when this Committee is struck
  • Be a member of the Labour Management Committee
  • Chair the Mobilization and Education Committee

Secretary Treasurer shall:

  • Receive all revenue, initiation fees, dues, and assessments, keeping a record of each member’s payments, and deposit promptly all money all money with a bank or credit union;
  • Ensure that the Employer processes Direct Remittance to the National Office of CUPE in a timely manner and that Rebate cheques are deposited in a timely manner as well;
  • Record all financial transactions in a manner which is acceptable to the UEC and in accordance with good accounting practices;
  • Make a regular and full written financial report to the Local at Membership Meetings and to UEC meetings;
  • Co-sign all financial instruments with the President;
  • Present to the First Vice-President a review of financial records, statements, and receipts, as requested;
  • Make all books and records available for inspection by the Auditors and/or Trustees on reasonable notice, and have the books audited semi-annually;
  • Provide the Trustees with any information that may be needed to complete the Audit Report Forms supplied by CUPE;
  • Be empowered, with the approval of the membership, to employ necessary clerical assistance to be paid for out of the Local’s funds;
  • Be bonded through the master bond held by CUPE National.  Any Secretary-Treasurer who cannot qualify for the bond shall be disqualified from office; 
  • Pay no money unless supported by a cheque requisition or expense form or request for payment duly signed by the President and one other member of the Executive Board as determined by the Executive Board.  No request shall be required for payment of per capita fees to any organization to which the Local Union is affiliated; 
  • On termination of office, surrender all books and other properties of the Local to their successor;
  • Be a member of the Executive Committee.

Bookkeeper shall:

  • Duties as assigned by the Secretary-Treasurer

Recording Secretary shall:

  • Keep full, accurate and impartial account of the proceedings of all Membership meetings, UEC Meetings, record and list all motions carried, Secretary Treasurer reports as well as reports of the Trustees;
  • Attend and record all Local meetings;
  • Record all alterations in the By-Laws;
  • Answer all correspondence and fulfill other secretarial duties as directed by the UEC;
  • File a copy of all letters sent out and keep on file all communications;
  • Prepare and distribute all circulars and notices to members
  • Have all records ready on reasonable notice for Auditors and Trustees;
  • Preside over Membership and UEC Meetings in the absence of the President and and Vice-Presidents;
  • Be empowered, with the approval of the membership, to employ necessary stenographic or other assistance, to be paid for out of the Local’s funds;
  • On termination of office, surrender all books, seals and other properties of the Local to their successor;
  • Be a member of the Executive Committee
  • Chair the Bylaw Review Committee when this Committee is struck
  • In partnership with the First Vice-President, provide oversight and coordinate training needs for the Local

The Trustees Shall:

  • The Trustees shall audit the books of the Treasurer and shall exercise general supervision over the property of the Local Union.  Such general supervision shall include, but not be limited to, ensuring the Treasurer complies with the provisions of Articles B.3.6 and B.3.7 of the CUPE Constitution.
  • The Trustees shall examine the books and records of the Treasurer and inspect or examine all properties, bonds, and all other assets of the Local at least once each calendar year.
  • At the completion of their audit, the Trustees shall submit in writing to the Chair President and Treasurer of the Local any recommendations and/or concerns they feel should be reviewed in order to ensure that the Local Union’s funds, records, and accounts are being maintained by the Treasurer in an organized, correct, and proper manner.
  • The Trustees shall make a written report to the next Executive Committee meeting and the Regular Membership meetings following the audit on the condition of the funds and accounts, the number of members in good standing, the number initiates, expelled or suspended, admitted or withdrawn, together with such other information they may deem necessary to the efficient and honest administration of the Local Union, along with a copy of the written recommendations and/or concerns submitted to the Treasurer, and the Treasurer’s written response.
  • The Trustees shall send a copy of the completed audit report (on the prescribed form provided by the National Secretary-Treasurer), as well as a copy of their report to the Local Union membership as well as a copy of their recommendations and/or concerns to the Chair and Treasurer and the Treasurer’s response, to the National Secretary-Treasurer of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, with a copy to the assigned servicing National Representative. 
  • The terms of office for Trustees shall be as followed: At the first election of officers to the Local Union, the Trustees shall be elected so that one shall serve for a period of three years, one for two years and one for one year.  Each year thereafter the Local Union shall elect one Trustee for a three-year period, or in the case of vacancies occurring, elect Trustees to fill only the unexpired terms in order to preserve overlapping terms of office.