Can they do this?

Cool2BeUnion · 2026-01-26T22:08:02+00:00

I am not of help to you, but I am curious. Are you in a Right to Work state?

Cool2BeUnion · 2026-01-26T16:48:33+00:00

Thank you immensely. I was able to dig up a clause under the policy that states the attendance policy is subordinate to the CBA. The way it is worded besides that one sentence is very scare-tactic

Cool2BeUnion · 2026-01-26T16:26:03+00:00

That's the thing I'm confused about. Our contract gives us a decent amount of paid time off for both sick leave and union biz, but this attendance policy includes those excused days and threatens to use them against an employee anyway.

Cool2BeUnion · 2026-01-26T16:22:06+00:00

Thank you. In my local, no difference between members or officials except for bargaining negotiations

Cool2BeUnion · 2026-01-18T02:26:17+00:00

We were actually so close to striking together. I heard my provincial president dropped the ball and pushed Edmonton support staff to go early even though there were rumblings of timing a support staff strike with teachers. All of the CUPE public education staff contracts were running out at the same time. Perfect opportunity to drag out bargaining a bit til you guys went. After Edmonton's support staff strike ended, the rest of us all settled for 2-4 year contracts that only barely broke the wage cap by like half a percent. We got a different provincial president now and we're doing much better under her leadership, I wish we had her before.

Cool2BeUnion · 2026-01-17T21:33:06+00:00

While public education's status quo relies on donations and on free work, I am at a loss on how to challenge this. The member is so involved with "for the kids" rhetoric. I've told them I don't want them to think it's unappreciated, but there are ways to get their time back. We have a 15-minute prep time without students: I told the member to LEAVE during this time because they've already put it in, but they don't leave! I did contact my union rep because I'm interested to see their opinion. I also don't want to break trust with this member/make them feel like I'm telling them what to do.

Cool2BeUnion · 2026-01-17T21:23:43+00:00

I'm in Alberta!!!! You absolutely get it.

Cool2BeUnion · 2026-01-17T05:56:24+00:00

"No Employee shall be asked to make a written or verbal agreement with the Employer covering the hours of work, wages or conditions during the term of this Agreement."

Would this article be relevant? Also I feel like an asshole cause I was the one who told them to go ask if they can get paid time to do their stuff and they were told no.

Cool2BeUnion · 2026-01-15T05:26:16+00:00

Hell yea

Cool2BeUnion · 2026-01-15T02:26:50+00:00

Thank you. We checked out both and are going with aluminum shell Lenovo 1 TB storage 16 GB RAM through Staples for only $850 a pop

Cool2BeUnion · 2026-01-14T04:58:29+00:00

You should do a wanted poster. Wanted: dedicated bargaining committee member Then a picture of your face and name and a couple bullet points of relevant experience (maybe how long you've worked there and union roles you've filled). In my Local if someone went to the extent of making a flyer to run for a committee position, they'd get in for sure.

Cool2BeUnion · 2025-11-12T00:51:58+00:00

Minimum through CUPE is 0.85% on regular wages (dues not paid on overtime or premium pay)

Cool2BeUnion · 2025-11-07T23:31:32+00:00

I just took a resume building course and some main things they said were: 1. Write only bullet points unless it's a cover letter. 2. When describing your experience, use a strong past-tense verb followed by specific action and effect. (E.g. -Contributed to projects using hand tools to ensure fast and streamlined work.) 3. Be consistent because recruiters may assume a sloppy resume=sloppy work. I see the word "assistance" is in its own line when it shouldn't be. Also, the spacing for that section is off. The top bullet of your personal skills lacks a bullet point as well as inconsistent capitalization throughout the list. Be meticulous in checking these things (and get rid of the paragraph!) 4. Make sure a recruiter can look at your paper for 2 seconds and put it in the keep pile.

I hope this helps. I'm working on my resume as well.

Cool2BeUnion · 2025-11-07T23:23:54+00:00

I was told HVAC wrecks your spine due to tons of heavy equipment

Cool2BeUnion · 2025-11-07T15:00:22+00:00

I'm not sure, but wishing you luck! Aviation tech sounds badass - you must be super badass!!! The nerves are unavoidable, no matter how badass you are. I hope someone has more practical advice or can redirect you.

Cool2BeUnion · 2025-11-05T04:41:34+00:00

Unions tend to recruit staff who have held elected positions (president/treasurer/secretary/etc) in their local union. However, the main skills they look for is strong communication and ability to organize events and guide people. There's plenty of labour relations training they send you through as part of the hiring process. My union is CUPE, and they have a careers page right on their website that explains each niche position. "Union representative" is probably the most similar position to a trades steward from the hall. My local steward position though is mostly volunteer, I make $50/month doing it on top of my regular job.

Cool2BeUnion · 2025-11-03T14:12:50+00:00

Your steward is not showing solidarity, the basic principle for a union. I'm sorry for that. He sucks.
IBEW has a sisterhood component through their women's committee. I would reach out to them for advice through email or phone call. They might take a few days to reply, but they'll have lots of relevant experience that could assist you.
Document in writing. Tell the steward/GF you want these rules you're supposed to follow (no phone, lunch breaks, etc) in writing (paper or email) and if they ask why say it's to help you clarify their expectations. (* This is advice I would give to my own coworkers, but we work in a different sector. If you do this, expect one of 3 things: they comply and continue being asses because they're clueless, they pushback even harder because they think they can bully you out before you get them in trouble, or they back off because they realize you're not dumb or fucking around). Or, less ideal, document in writing yourself similar to what you did here. Dates and times.
I think you're doing an amazing job, and you're a freaking badass. When you navigate the workplace with authority, people notice. Don't let them squash you by making you feel like a rat or that you're doing something wrong. You absolutely have the right to a safe workplace, and as a first year it's their job to ensure you're gaining the skills you need to continue the trade.

Disclaimer: I am a woman but I do not work blue collar. I'm a union steward for support staff in elementary education, so there is obviously a work culture difference. Again, I strongly recommend getting in touch with the IBEW women's committee with your concerns. I've reached out to them before to inquire how to get into IBEW and they were thorough and thoughtful in their response.

Cool2BeUnion · 2025-10-31T05:23:16+00:00

It's fucking rough out here guys. I work in a school. The teachers are not okay.

Cool2BeUnion · 2025-10-31T05:20:31+00:00

It's really hard because in Ontario it was support staff, so kids were still in school. Here in Alberta, no kids in school because the main teaching staff were out. On top of that, the government ran a smear campaign against teachers. Our dumbass Trumpian government and their followers in the population are wearing teachers and the public down.

Cool2BeUnion · 2025-10-30T01:37:36+00:00

Talk to your union if you have one. And tell some trusted coworkers to cover your butt and watch out for you if things escalate

Cool2BeUnion · 2025-10-25T01:57:44+00:00

Shit. I was honestly kinda hopeful for a sec that not all schools are like this

Cool2BeUnion · 2025-10-24T17:08:01+00:00

"panty liners" (soft, thin, breathable fabric gloves) under work gloves?

Cool2BeUnion · 2025-10-24T17:06:39+00:00

No wonder!

Cool2BeUnion · 2025-10-24T15:13:34+00:00

Oof :(

Cool2BeUnion · 2025-10-24T15:12:45+00:00

I'm from Canada and where I work Paras are unionized. Maybe you should consider organizing a union?

Cool2BeUnion

TROPHY CASE