Putting YOU in Union
Welcome to Putting YOU in Union. This project is a joint effort between myself (I’m Roger) and my daughter. We are both conventional drivers with CMBC, myself with well over 20 years experience and her now a year+ into it. We are joining forces to try and provide the membership, most particularly our newer members, an understanding of the fundamental role of the Union in our working lives. I have a wealth of knowledge based on years of Union activism and talking with Abby has provided me with a fresh perspective from the newer generation of operators.
Knowledge is power.
Let me introduce myself: My name is Roger Rioux.
I am 71 years old as I write this. My entire adult life has been spent in both lay and professional advocacy, trying to help people who need assistance with fighting the frustration of bureaucracy or the injustices that can befall any of us. It is now extremely important to me (and with Abby’s insistence as someone with a background in education) that I share the knowledge and skill set that I have with the future of trade unionism - YOU!
Briefly, here’s some background information that I think is relevant: I have specifically focused on trade union advocacy and was, for 6 years, a Business Agent with Teamsters Union Local 31 in Vancouver. I have also been an Executive Board member and a Recording Secretary. At the present time, I am active as one of four “Grievance Committee” members with Unifor 111. I have been both lead counsel and second chair at arbitrations, BC Labour Board hearings, Federal Labour Board hearings, Human Rights Tribunals, and Workers Compensation hearings and appeals.
As a “lay advocate” I have had some very satisfying success helping a colleague secure a CPP “permanent disability” and an even more satisfying win with a successful Section 12 complaint to the BC Labour Relations Board (it was actually a Section 7 complaint to the Industrial Relations Council - what was to become the BC Labour Relations Board). Section 12 of the BC Labour Code is where a Union member can get relief if they believe the Union representing them has acted in a manner that is “arbitrary, discriminatory or in bad faith.”.
We are not born knowing how Unions work or what OUR role in them should be. This website is intended to provide you with an opportunity to have your question(s) answered - in depth. But it goes beyond just answering your questions, it’s about providing you with knowledge and tools so that you can make sense of things and also advocate for yourself. It is a journey that, hopefully, we will travel together to our mutual satisfaction and encouragement.
To be clear: This isn’t a political space or a place of mud-slinging. The big idea here is education and empowerment for each and every Union member.
We are particularly interested in any and all questions you might want answered. Nothing is too small, insignificant or irrelevant. Knowledge really IS power and we hope to empower any one of you who is looking for answers about “All Things Trade Union”.
Let’s Get Specific - Unifor 111
If you’re a Transit Operator with CMBC then this information is specifically relevant to you. There is an overwhelming amount of information that you will have to work your way through before you get a clear picture of how the Union works and what your role in it should be.
At a bare minimum, every Union member should have a copy of (or easy access to) the following 3 documents:
Below are links where you can reference all 3 of the documents mentioned above. In addition, if you are an employee of CMBC and a Transit Operator - shuttle or conventional - you should contact the Union office administrative staff to get “log in” credentials for the Unifor 111 website.
Got a question? Ask away!
If you’ve got a Union related question then submit it and we’ll get into it on the blog.