Unifor Membership: How to Join
You must be employed in a Union shop for at least 30 days in order to apply for Unifor membership. After the 30 days are up, talk to your employer to advise him of your intentions, then come into the local office to fill out a Unifor membership application.
Health & Welfare: Active & Retirees
Unifor Active Member Plan Booklet.pdf
Unifor Retired Member Plan Booklet.pdf
Pensions & Benefits
Benefits are not standardized throughout the local and may vary from shop to shop. Consult your collective agreement and shop steward for questions regarding which plant(s) apply to you. For specific information on the benefit plans, please call the staff at the local office.
PACIFIC BLUE CROSS – www.pac.bluecross.ca
CARESNET – click here
Union Dues
Your union dues will be taken as a source deduction by your employer and remitted directly to the union on your behalf. Rates may vary from time to time, as Unifor membership have the authority to raise or lower rates through the democratic process.
Dues are split into two parts. One portion is forwarded on your behalf to the National Union and the remainder is retained by the Local to fund the day-to-day operation of the Local (such as negotiations, mediation and arbitration).
Collective Agreement
Your collective agreement is the document which specifies the terms and conditions of your employment. We try to keep them as standardized as possible but some variations do occur, so be sure when consulting a collective agreement that you are looking at the current one for your shop.
When you receive your collective agreement, read it, and become familiar with the contents. Subsequent rounds of collective bargaining will produce changes, some of which may be subtle but nonetheless important. When your collective agreement is renewed (and the drafts verified and printed) you will receive a new copy from your shop steward.
General Membership Meetings
The Local shall have at least six (6) regular membership meetings (no less than every three (3) months) each calendar year. Meetings shall be scheduled in accordance with the bylaws throughout the jurisdiction of the Local with a minimum of one (1) meeting scheduled in Edmonton, Vancouver, and on Vancouver Island. Notice of meetings shall be sent to all stewards for posting at least two (2) weeks prior to the scheduled meeting date.
Unifor Family Education Program
The Unifor Family Education Program is a unique program where members and their families learn about our Union and the issues facing Canadian families. There are separate programs for Adults, Teenagers 13 – 18, and Children 4 – 12. Infants and toddlers are cared for in the day nursery, equipped with infant daycare and preschool facilities. Evenings families are free to enjoy an array of recreation activities.
Unifor will provide, free of charge, food and lodging to each participant and family member, as well as air fare for families who live more than 500 miles away from the facility on the shores of Lake Huron in Ontario. For more details, eligibility requirements, and an application form, click here.
A video describing the Family Education Program is also available here.