Survey

The National Office of UTE has requested all the Locals across the country to find ways to encourage more membership involvement. There are two reasons for this initiative; one is to create active Locals where the members take ownership of their Local and its affairs, and to build consensus as we move towards another round of bargaining with our employer.

The main areas of focus are:

1-      Communication

2-      Membership Involvement & AGM.

3-      Education

4-      Social Events

COMMUNICATION

1 Preferred method of delivery:

2 Rate level of communication from Union:

3 How often would you like to receive information:

National to include strike information.

4 What type of information would you like to receive:

5 Please share your suggestions on other means of communication e.g. Newsletter.  

           Newsletter is fine, posters, meeting forums

MEMBERSHIP INVOLVEMENT

1.        Are you interested in being involved in Local initiatives or short term projects:

YES     18%

NO.      81%

If YES – Name       

What area(s) are you interested in ---What is available?

2.        Are you willing to be a Steward? 

YES      6%

NO      93%

AGM

3          Do you want dinner meeting:

YES     73%

NO      25%

If NO Other suggestions

4.        Bearing in mind that we must have a quorum (% of members present) to hold elections,

Do you want to hold elections at:

AGM                          70%

Separate Meeting         25%

5.        Would you like to see more campaigning for elected offices:

YES     27%

NO      64%

Other suggestions      

EDUCATION

1.        Do you feel there is enough education available:

YES      58%

NO       16%  

2.        Are you interested/willing to participate in union education:

YES      29%

NO       45%

If YES, At what level:

Local              31%

Regional         12%

National          10%

If YES, When are you most willing and able to attend union education:

Weekdays        6%

Week nights     12%

Weekends       16%

Lunch             14%

3.        What topics would be meaningful to you?      

Please specify, for example:

Understanding the Collective Agreement *

Effecting change in the union.

Labour Law

SOCIAL EVENTS

1.        Would you be interested in participating in a union sponsored social event:

*Several members chose several methods of communications in their preference order.

Most of the participants selected the “ Understanding the Collective Agreement” as their number 1 education course.  However, there were other suggestions such as “dealing with Management in grievance situations” and “How to support other workers’ unions in lock-outs etc.

Additional comments and/or observation offered by members:

“In any Union events (meetings, strikes etc….) jackets/vests should be given to union members as well”

“Informal types of education would be nice”

“Minutes to all Union meetings should be shared with membership.  Dates of meetings should be communicated in advance to membership; When executive attend National events on our behalf etc.”

“During strike activities, I would like to see the rules in regards to overtime, travel etc.”

“At minimum, I would like to receive information on a monthly basis.  Reports on conferences should be timely.  Right now we receive nothing…not even the treasury report from last year, let alone the budget for this year” ** See special note at bottom of the Survey.

“Not necessary to hold dinner meetings, although this may be a draw for attendance”

“Send e-mails.  Don’t was our union dues on coloured paper!  We can print the information ourselves if we want a paper copy. AGM’s take too long.  Just have a meeting.  Be professional and don’t answer your cell phone when other people are speaking”

“Keep voting 1^st on the agenda;  Guests speaker last”

Special note:  In accordance to our  By-laws, this year’s budget was posted on all the bulletin boards for at least 14 days  prior to February 21, 2006.  The Budget was passed during the 2006 AGM.