Union Representative

SEIU Healthcare is a union of more than 67,000 members who are frontline healthcare workers in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and homecare agencies in communities throughout Ontario. We advocate with our members by launching progressive member driven programs, adapting best practices, and encouraging new and innovative ideas. We strive to create a society where workers are valued and rewarded for their work. As a result, thriving workers have a greater opportunity to participate and lead in building healthy communities. We provide a strong voice through collective bargaining, labour relations, and political action to ensure frontline workers are heard and respected when decisions about healthcare are being made.

We are looking for individuals with a desire to amplify the voice of workers. If you are passionate about labour and social justice, share our values, and want to work toward changing the lives of workers, then a career with SEIU Healthcare is for you!

For more information, visit www.seiuhealthcare.ca.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Union Representative delivers excellent member service and is responsible for all aspects of labor relations and member engagement in the workplaces they represent. These duties include the effective administration of collective agreements, contract negotiations, grievances, and other matters related to the employment relationship between our members and their employers.

The position is also responsible for identifying and coaching member leaders to become more active and capable members of the union and to support our member education and mobilization programs in support of our broader organizational strategy to strengthen a wider movement for social justice and political participation across our membership.

This position is full-time working at our Office in St. Catharines, Ontario.

Number of positions available: 1

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plan, develop and execute initiatives to encourage member driven unit events, actions, and campaigns to resolve unit issues.
• Coach stewards to lead various meetings and support SEIU Healthcare in early identification and resolution of unit issues.
• Support organizational political strategies by recruiting member leaders and promoting and participating in political actions and events.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders (employers, members, internal departments, OLRB, arbitrators etc.).
• Facilitate and coordinate General Membership Meetings, Steward Meetings, Labour Management Meetings, Site Visits, and Departmental Meetings in assigned units.
• Lead collective bargaining for assigned units while working with the Research Department in accordance with established standards, procedures, and timelines.
• Manage the grievance process, working toward early resolution in accordance with individual collective agreements and internal processes.
• Analyze and interpret complex contracts and legislative language.
• Resolve issues within units through interpretation and enforcement of contracts and related legislation.
• Work in collaboration with administrative support to ensure unit files, unit events, negotiation files, records, reports, and grievance collateral are entered in UnionWare.
• Facilitate attendance management and return to work meetings in assigned units.
• Ensure timely submission and preparation of detailed files for interest and rights arbitrations.
• Ensure required committees in assigned units have SEIU representation.
• Complete and submit monthly unit status reports and monthly expense reports.
• Ensure legal and other billing accurately reflects events as they occur and are submitted per policy.
• Manage and record expenses made during regular business using a company credit card/gas card, in accordance with SEIU financial policies.
• Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION BACKGROUND

At SEIU Healthcare, we understand that the best people do not always have the same access and opportunities to education, and while post-secondary education is always preferred, we want to make sure nothing stands in the way of finding the right person.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Minimum of three (3) years labour relations experience, preferably in a labor union environment.
• Experience negotiating first and renewal collective agreements and administer those agreements through their life cycle.
• Experience handling and processing grievances through referral to arbitration
• Experience in the healthcare sector is an added advantage

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• Proficiency in languages other than English is an asset.
• IT skills is an asset
• Working knowledge of relevant legislation (ESA, OHRC, WSIA, OHSA, OLRA).
• Ability to interpret collective agreement language and apply to specific situations.
• Ability to negotiate first and renewal collective agreements and administer those agreements through their life cycle.
• Ability to process grievances through referral to arbitration
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and Union Ware
• Strong interpersonal skills, excellent writing, and verbal skills
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Strong conflict resolution skills and the ability to deal with tense situations.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Time management skills.
• Building and maintaining trust relationships with all stakeholders.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• This position requires the successful candidate to have a valid driver's license. The successful candidate would have to provide proof that s/he has a valid driver's license upon being hired.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ WORKING CONDITIONS / ENVIRONMENT

• Office work may involve prolonged periods of sitting at a workstation and repetitive movements associated with such tasks.
• Field work may involve extended periods away from home, long hours, and exposure to both physically and mentally demanding environments.
• Evening and weekend work may be required. Work hours will vary to meet operational needs.
• Prolonged use of a computer.
• Frequent use of the telephone.
• Driving, air travel, cross-border travel, and attendance at off-site meetings.
• Frequent long-distance travel by motor vehicle.
• Must be able to lift and transport boxes containing various materials to and from meetings.
• Exposure to medical, healthcare, and office environments

How to Apply

Written applications that detail your qualifications and experience should be submitted on our career portal.

Salary and other terms and conditions are in accordance with the field staff collective agreement. Please note that the Employer reserves the right to transfer or assign staff anywhere within the SEIU Local 1 Canada jurisdiction.

VACANCY DISCLOSURE

This posting is to fill an existing vacancy within SEIU Healthcare.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE DISCLOSURE

Please note that SEIU Healthcare may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in screening, assessment, or selection of applicants for this position.

WHY SEIU HEALTHCARE?

At SEIU Healthcare, you will find a dynamic and inclusive environment where employees are valued and rewarded for their work. Here are a few things that set us apart:

• Inclusive workplace culture
• Excellent health, dental and insurance benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees.
• Generous vacation and sick leave benefits, inclusive supplemental unemployment benefits
• Fully sponsored employer pension plan
• Investment in employee growth — personal and professional development options
• Working towards a common goal by making a real difference in the lives of people

SEIU Healthcare thanks all applicants for their interest. We are committed to diversity in our workplace and encourage applications from all visible minority groups, women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities among other self-identified diverse groups. We also provide accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (‘AODA’). If you require accommodation for a disability during any stage of the recruitment process, please notify Human Resources. Please note that only individuals who are selected for interviews will be contacted.