President :

  • enforce the CUPE Constitution and these by-laws
  • preside at all membership and executive meetings and preserve order
  • decide all points of order and procedure (subject always to appeal to the membership)
  • have a vote on all matters (except appeals against his/her rulings) and in case of a tie vote in any matter, including elections, have the right to cast an additional vote to break the tie, or if he/she chooses, refrain from breaking a tie, in which case the motion is lost (Amended November 28, 2007)
  • ensure that all officers perform their assigned duties
  • fill committee vacancies where elections are not provided for
  • introduce new members
  • ensure that the Local’s funds are used only as authorized or directed by the constitution, by-laws, or vote of the membership
  • inform the secretary-treasurer of any changes in the status of employees (Amended May 20, 1998)
  • be the spokesperson for all delegations representing the local, unless some other member is appointed by the executive
  • serve on the Labour Management Committee
  • 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
  • have first preference as a delegate to the CUPE National Convention

Vice-President:

  • if the President is absent or incapacitated, perform all duties of the President
  • if the office of President falls vacant, be Acting President until a new President is elected
  • render assistance to any member of the Executive as directed by the Executive
  • be responsible for the efficient administration of the Local and its operations in collaboration with the President
  • be a liaison between the executive and the Local’s committees, and between the executive and representatives on joint university committees
  • be responsible to ensure that committees meet as required, and that committees are actively filled (in collaboration with the nominations committee)
  • be responsible for preparing the ‘committee reports’ document in advance of general meetings
  • serve on the Labour Management Committee. (Amended May 21, 1997)

Recording Secretary:

  • keep full, accurate and impartial account of the proceedings of all regular or special membership and Executive meetings
  • record all alterations in the By-Laws
  • fulfil other secretarial duties as directed by the Executive
  • 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 Executive meetings in the absence of both the President and the Vice-President
  • on termination of office, surrender all books, seals and other properties of the Local to the successor
  • keep an accurate record of attendance at all meetings (Article B.3.3)

Secretary-Treasurer:

  • receive all revenue and deposit promptly all money with a bank or credit union (Amended November 28, 2007)
  • prepare all CUPE National per capita tax forms and remit payment;
    (Amended November 28, 2007)
  • record all financial transactions in a manner acceptable to the Executive and in accordance with good accounting practices
  • regularly make a full financial report at regular Membership Meetings detailing all income and expenditures for the period, and to the Executive as requested (Amended, CUPE National Convention, 1993; November 28, 2007)
  • be bonded through the master bond held by the National Office. Any Secretary-Treasurer who cannot qualify for the bond shall be disqualified from office
  • pay no money unless approved by the Executive or membership, except that no approval shall be required for payment of per capita fees to any organization to which the Local is affiliated
  • make all books available for inspection by the auditors and/or trustees on reasonable notice, and have the books audited annually (Amended November 28, 2007)
  • provide the trustees with any information they may need to complete the audit report forms supplied by CUPE
  • on termination of office, surrender all books, records and other properties of the Local to the successor (Articles B.3.4 to B.3.9)

Communications Officer:

  • be responsible for creating a portal for open communications and dialog between MASA members (CUPE 3433) and CUPE
  • communicate to MASA members items of interest that concern our members, including but not limited to, union, labour, and social awareness by providing content to the website and through a newsletter
  • be responsible for website maintenance and development

Grievance Officer:

  • oversee the handling of all local grievances (violations of the collective agreement)
  • help to solve members’ problems outside the grievance procedure
  • take primary responsibility for responding to members’ requests for assistance and representation
  • assist in the education of members about the collective agreement, and about the union’s role in the workplace
  • act as a mediator when members are in conflict with each other
  • know the collective agreement, grievance procedures, and workplace policies
  • represent all members fairly; Respect members’ right to privacy

Membership Officer:

  • maintain an up-to-date record of membership in the Local / maintain the seniority list
  • maintain a list of all job vacancies and hiring decisions / track staffing changes
  • file copies of all job postings for the Local’s records
  • be responsible for greeting new members of the Local and collecting signed membership cards
  • develop a guide for new members to introduce them to the Local, etc., and be responsible for keeping it up to date
  • submit requests to CSD to update the MASA email list

Education Officer:

  • be responsible for union development in collaboration with other executive members, and committees;
  • promote a wide range of educational activities to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence of all members of the Local (to improve our Local organization, our workplaces and our society);
  • in collaboration with other executive members (e.g. membership officer / grievance officer), coordinate the education of members about the collective agreement, and about the union’s role in the workplace;
  • be primarily responsible for organizing Lunch and Learn sessions.

Past-President:

  • render assistance to any member of the Executive as directed by the Executive
  • serve on the Labour Management Committee

Trustees:

  • act as an Auditing Committee on behalf of the members and audit the books and accounts of the Secretary-Treasurer, the Recording Secretary and the standing committees on an annual basis; (Amended May 20, 1998; November 28, 2007)
  • report their findings to the first membership meeting following the completion of each audit;
  • be responsible to ensure that monies are not paid out without proper constitutional, Executive, or membership authorization;
  • ensure that proper financial reports are made to the membership;
  • inspect at least twice a year any stocks, bonds, securities, office furniture and equipment, and titles or deeds to property that may at any time be owned by the Local, and report their findings to the membership;
  • use audit forms supplied by the National office and send a copy of each audit to the National Secretary-Treasurer in accordance with the provisions of CUPE policy. (Articles B.3.10 to B.3.12) (Amended November 28, 2007)

Social Committee:
This committee shall comprise between three (3) and five (5) members and may appoint a chair from among its members. It is the function of this Committee to arrange and conduct all social and recreational activities of the Local, either on the Committee’s own initiative or as a result of decisions taken at membership meetings, according to the Social Committee Guidelines approved by the membership. The Committee shall submit reports and proposals to the Executive or to the membership as required.

A petty cash fund of two hundred ($200.00) dollars shall be made available to the Committee to assist in its day-to-day activities. The fund shall be administered by the chair designate of the Committee and may be replenished through the Secretary-Treasurer of the Local upon submission of receipts for amounts used. Other expenses may be arranged through the Local=s Secretary-Treasurer. (Amended November 28, 2007)

The Executive shall be held responsible for the proper and effective functioning of this Committee.

Labour Management Committee:
The Labour Management Committee shall be comprised of the President, Vice-President and either the Past President or an alternate approved by the Membership. The Committee shall enjoy the full support of both Parties in the interests of improved service to the public and job security for the employees. The Committee shall concern itself with the following general matters:

  • considering constructive criticisms of all activities so that better relations shall exist between the Employer and the employees;
  • improving and extending services to the University community;
  • reviewing suggestions from employees and questions on working
    conditions; and
  • correcting conditions causing grievances and misunderstandings. (Amended May 21, 1997)

By-Laws Committee:
(a) This Committee shall solicit suggestions for changes to these By-Laws from the membership no later than the 15th of February of each year with all responses to be in to the Committee by March 1st. This Committee shall consider all proposed amendments to the By-Laws and shall submit its report and recommendations to the Executive by March 1

5th of each year. This Committee shall also recommend such
additional rules for the conduct of the Local deemed necessary. (Amended May 21, 1997)

(b) It shall be the duty of this Committee to have all proposed changes to the By-laws in the hands of the members at least ten (10) days prior to the relevant membership meeting. (Amended May 21, 1997; November 28, 2007)

Negotiating Committee:
This shall be a special Ad Hoc Committee established at least six (6) months prior to the expiry of the Local’s collective agreement and be automatically disbanded when a Negotiating Committee. new collective agreement has been signed. The function of the Committee is to prepare collective bargaining proposals and to negotiate a collective agreement. The Committee, appointed by the Executive, shall consist of four (4) members with one (1) alternate. At least one member of the Committee should have previous negotiating experience. The CUPE Representative assigned to the Local shall be a non-voting member of the Committee and shall be consulted at all stages from formulating proposals, through negotiations, to contract ratification by the membership. (Amended November 28, 2007)