Local Nego – Union structure
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The proposed decision-making structure for local negotiations has three levels:
This structure can be adapted according to the needs, progress or scope of the negotiations.
Union’s general assembly
It has the broadest and most definitive powers and mandate over local negotiations. It is composed of all of the healthcare professionals covered by the certificate of accreditation. It has the power to:
- Determine the structures to implement for local negotiations;
- Decide on the local collective agreement;
- Receive information concerning local negotiations;
- Determine the courses of action;
- Ratify the local tentative agreement and authorize its signing;
- Determine whether to hold a referendum, if necessary.
Local negotiation council
Due to the large size of institutions, which often cover an entire region, and the context of negotiations which often requires swift action, it may be wise to call on an intermediate body. The local negotiation council’s main mandates are to:
- Ensure broader representation of members (the council should be composed of professionals from all the missions and job categories represented);
- Ensure more informed decisions are made between general assemblies, especially concerning the strategic and political plan;
- Inform and mobilize members by supporting the mobilization plan;
- Help enrich the local negotiating committee’s discussions;
- Formulate recommendations to the local negotiating committee and union’s executive committee;
Local negotiating committee
The local negotiating committee is the body that conducts activities directly related to local negotiations. We recommend that the committee be composed of a political officer, one to four members from local units and the FIQ union consultant (spokesperson) to ensure proper communication between levels. The committee’s main mandates are to:
- Consult members and, as needed, the executive committee or local negotiation council;
- Make a list of demands, identify the negotiation priorities and develop the local provisions of the collective agreement to submit to the employer;
- Carry out mandates assigned by the executive committee, local negotiation council and the union’s general assembly;
- Help to develop and implement the negotiation strategy (categorizing the matters and choosing their order of negotiation), mobilization strategy and communication plan
- Organize, prepare and hold negotiation meetings with the employer and inform members? of how things are going at the table;
- Enter into a tentative agreement in accordance with the assigned mandates and submit it to the assembly