Local Officer Roles and Responsibilities

The roles and responsibilities of individual officers can vary from local to local and are described in each local's consitution and bylaws. Generally speaking, however, the duties of officers are:

President

Vice President

Secretary

Treasurer

Stewards

PRESIDENT

  • Chief Executive Officer of the Local
  • Calls and presides over all meetings of the Local
  • Calls and presides overall meetings of the Local's Executive Board
  • Appoints all committees of the Local, subject to approval of the Executive Board if Executive Board approval is required by Local Constitution and By-Laws
  • At his/her discretion, is a member of all committees of the Local
  • Supervises and assists other Local officers and stewards in the performance oft heir duties
  • Assigns duties to other officers, stewards, or members as necessary to carry out the work off the Local
  • Has the responsibility and authority to act for and commit the Local, in the best interest of the Local, in matters requiring immediate attention
  • He/she, or his/her designee, is the sole spokesperson for the Local
  • Has the responsibility to be aware of all matters involving the Local

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VICE PRESIDENT

  • Assumes the duties and responsibilities oft he President in the absence off he President
  • Performs other duties as assigned by the President
  • Is a member of the Local Executive Board

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SECRETARY

  • Keeps a true and accurate record of all Local business, including all meetings of the Local Executive Board and regular and special membership meetings
  • Posts notices of all regular and special membership meetings
  • Notifies Executive Board members of meetings of the Executive Board
  • Is the custodian of all non-financial records of the Local
  • Handles all correspondence of the Local, unless the President directs correspondence to be otherwise handled
  • Presents the minutes of the prior meeting at all regular and special membership meetings and at all meetings of the Local Executive Board
  • Performs other duties as assigned by the President
  • Is a member of the Local Executive Board

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TREASURER

  • Is responsible for all financial matters of the Local
  • Is the custodians of all financial records of the Local
  • Presents a financial report at all regular and special membership meetings and at all meetings of the Local Executive Board
  • Is a member of the Local Executive Board
  • Performs other duties as assigned by the President
  • The Treasurer must NEVER have sole authority to sign checks or other financial documents. All accounts of the Local must have two signatures.

SECRETARY/TREASURER
If the positions of Secretary and Treasurer are combined, the Secretary/Treasurer shall perform the combined duties of the two officers

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STEWARDS

Educator/Communicator Role:

  • Explain to members what the union is (and what it is not)
  • Answer questions about internal union policies and procedures
  • Talk to members about what the union is working on. Know how you want them to become involved
  • Listen to what members are saying (about negotiations, union programs, etc)
  • Educate members about COPE and sign them up
  • Talk to the union representative and officers about what's going on in the workplace
  • Inform and update members on issues and problems
Grievance Handler Role:

  • Enforce the contract
  • Answer members' questions about the contract, management's work rules, etc.
  • Defend members' rights and protect good working conditions
  • Refer members to other sources for help when problem is not a grievance
  • Keep good records (yours and the ones in the union office)
  • Make recommendations on new language and contract changes for bargaining

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