Elections Guide

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AMUSE ELECTION GUIDE FOR THE AGM

The AGM is the perfect time to get involved with AMUSE in a number of different capacities and commitment levels. It is not necessary to have prior involvement in the union to run for any position. Training will be available for all of the following positions.

To run for a position, you may prepare a brief statement of interest to be given orally at the Annual General Meeting. Once election procedures are opened at the AGM there will be a nomination period where you may nominate yourself or ask another member to nominate you. There will then be a brief period where you will have an opportunity to introduce yourself and say a little bit about why you are running for the position. Voting is done by secret ballot and the results are announced once voting is completed. This procedure is repeated for each position.

The following is an outline of the various positions you can run for at the AGM.

Bargaining Committee Member

Our Collective Agreement ends in April 2015 so we will be entering negotiations with the University shortly. At the AGM, we will be electing two Bargaining Committee members. A bargaining committee’s main function is to negotiate the contents of the collective agreement and ensure that an agreement is reached between the employer and the membership. The bargaining committee consists of 2 members of the executive as well as 2 - 3 members at large.

Some of the responsibilities of the Bargaining Committee are:

  • Negotiate with the employer in order to achieve the best possible settlement that reflects the best possible interests of the members.
  • Educate themselves on the workplace conditions and work environment of the McGill casual workers, as well as the Quebec Labour Standards Act and the Quebec Labour Code.
  • Formulate and prioritize demands to be negotiated in the collective agreement.
  • Draft proposals for the next Collective Agreement
  • Meet with the University’s negotiating team to create a new Collective Agreement over a series of meetings
  • Prepare reports and information regarding negotiations for the membership

Approximate time commitment:
8 - 16 hours/month to prepare for negotiations (approximate: May - February 2015)
20 – 30 hours/month during negotiations (approximate: February - August 2015)
All work done as part of this committee will be compensated

Delegate to the Board of Representatives

The Board of Representatives is the chief governing body of AMUSE. As a delegate on the Board of Representatives, you will be a voting member directly involved with the functioning of AMUSE. All delegates also act as Stewards of AMUSE in their workplace.

Some of the responsibilities of a Delegate are:

  • Recommend a course of action with regards to bargaining and grievances
  • Create and maintain general policies of AMUSE
  • Recommend a budget to the AGM
  • Oversee the activities of and give recommendations to the Executives
  • Arbitrate in disputes relating to the internal affairs of AMUSE
  • Form and participate in internal committees
  • Knowledge of AMUSE By-Laws and policies

Requirements:

  • Attendance at a minimum of six (6) out of ten (10) meetings
  • Participation in a least one committee (see our Committees page for more info)
  • Act as a Steward in your workplace

Term: February 2014 - January 2015
Time commitment: 5 - 8 hours/month
Delegates are compensated for their work.

Executive Officers

Please Note: Modifications to the AMUSE By-Laws affecting the Executive Officers’ duties have been proposed by the By-Law and Policy Committee and approved by the Board of Representatives. They do not represent how the Executive presently manifests (please see the Motion re: By-Law Changes for details). The implementation of these changes is contingent upon their approval at the AGM.

President: The President acts as the primary spokesperson and administrator of AMUSE. In other words, they are responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of the Local and facilitate the essential functioning of AMUSE.

Some of the responsibilities of the President are:

  • Maintain a working knowledge of the Collective Agreement, PSAC`s Constitution, the Rules of Order, and the AMUSE Bylaws
  • Participate in internal committees
  • Be familiar with and participate in external political bodies, such as PSAC regional committees, PSAC conventions, and campus groups
  • Prepare the Annual Report
  • Coordinate projects and aid other Executive Officers and committees
  • Sit on the Bargaining Committee
  • Participate in monthly Labour Relations Committee meetings
  • Write internal policy

Term: January 29, 2014 - January 2015
Time commitment: 10-12 hours/week
Delegates are compensated for their work.

Internal Affairs Officer: The Internal Affairs Officer is responsible for keeping records, greeting new members, and coordinating the internal functioning of the union.

Please note: this is a new position. To read the proposed By-Laws regarding this position please see the Motion re: By-Law Changes.

Some of the responsibilities of the Internal Affairs Officer are:

  • Record the minutes of the meetings of the Executive, Board, and the General Meeting
  • Maintain organized records of minutes, reports, and contracts
  • Introduce new members to the union
  • Coordinate internal committees
  • Write internal policy

Term: January 29, 2014 - January 2015
Time commitment: 8-10 hours/week
Delegates are compensated for their work.

Communications and Outreach Officer: The Communications and Outreach Officer is responsible for distributing information to the membership and outreach to AMUSE members. They are the first contact for general inquiries and are responsible for outreach materials, the AMUSE website, electronic newsletters, social media, and outreach campaigns. Much of this work is done with other Executive Officers and Stewards. Please note: this is a new position. To read the proposed By-Laws regarding this position please see the Motion re: By-Law Changes.

Some of the responsibilities of the Communications and Outreach Officer are:

  • Distributing relevant information to members through various channels
  • The visibility of the local in social media, and on campus in general
  • Writing and distributing regular electronic newsletters
  • Working with Stewards and the Mobilization Committee
  • Developing outreach campaigns

Term: January 29, 2014 - January 2015
Time commitment: 8-10 hours/week
Delegates are compensated for their work.

Treasurer: The Treasurer manages the finances of AMUSE. They create a budget, audited financial statements, and all funds coming in and out.

Some of the responsibilities of the Internal Affairs Officer are:

  • Keep records of transactions
  • Manage payroll
  • Create the annual budget
  • Prepare the audited financial statement
  • Work with an accountant to ensure proper records are maintained
  • Prepare monthly reports for the Board and an annual report for the AGM

Term: January 29, 2014 - January 2015
Time commitment: 8-10 hours/week
Delegates are compensated for their work.

Labour Relations Officer: The Labour Relations Officer is responsible for the enforcement of the Quebec Labour Standards and the AMUSE Collective Agreement. They are an essential part of the union and are in charge of the general improvement of the working conditions of our members.

Some of the responsibilities of the Labour Relations Officer are:

  • Meet with members to discuss their working conditions
  • Prepare informational materials regarding labour rights for the membership
  • Bring complaints to the university for mediation, and initiate grievance procedures, while working with members affected
  • Sit on the Bargaining Committee
  • Participate in monthly Labour Relations Committee meetings
  • Work with Stewards to ensure the proper implementation of the Collective Agreement

Term: January 29, 2014 - January 2015
Time commitment: 10-12 hours/week
Delegates are compensated for their work.

*For further information, please refer to the AMUSE By-Laws - Amended Jan 2013

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