New Employee Union Orientation for Support Staff
When you start your new job at Queen’s, it’s important to know your rights and who represents you. Every new employee who is part of USW Local 2010 is invited to attend a Union Orientation Session - a short meeting that introduces you to your Union, your Union Representatives, and the benefits of membership.
What Happens When You’re Hired
Step 1 → Know Your Union Representatives
- When you’re hired, the Employer will tell you the name and email of your Union Representatives and your Local Union President so you know who to contact for help or questions.
Step 2 → Attend Union Orientation Session
- Within ninety (90) days of starting your job, you’ll be given one and a half (1.5) hours (including travel time) to attend a Union Orientation Session.
- This session is led by members of your Union Executive Board and Union Office Staff and gives you a chance to:
- Learn about your Collective Agreement and workplace rights
- Understand how the grievance and support processes work
- Ask questions and meet your Union team
💡 There’s no loss of pay - both new employees and the Union members hosting the session are paid for this time.
Step 3 → Session Schedule
- Your Union provides the Employer with a schedule of orientation sessions, which take place bi-monthly.
- The Employer will let you know the date of the next available session when you start your new job.
Why It Matters
Union Orientation helps ensure that every new employee:
- Understands their rights and benefits under the Collective Agreement
- Knows who to contact for support or questions
- Becomes part of a strong and informed Union community
New Employee Union Orientation for Residence Dons
When you start your new job with Residence Life, it’s important to know your rights and who represents you. Every new and returning Don who is part of USW Local 2010-02 is invited to attend a Union Orientation Session during the annual Pre-Academic Year Training period in August. The purpose of the Union Orientation Session is to introduce you to your Union, your Union Representatives, and the benefits of membership.
What Happens When You’re Hired
Step 1 → Know Your Union Representatives
- When you’re hired, the Employer will tell you the name and email of your Union Representatives and your Local Union President on your contract letter so you know who to contact for help or questions.
Step 2 → Attend the Union Orientation Session
- The Employer will let you know the date/time of the Union Orientation Session.
- The Union Orientation Session is held annually during the Pre-Academic Year Training period in August. You’ll be given one and a half (1.5) hours to attend.
- Attendance is a mandatory part of your Pre-Academic Year Training and is required to receive your $300 stipend (Article 30).
- This session is led by members of your Union Executive Board and Union Office Staff and gives you a chance to:
- Learn about your Collective Agreement and workplace rights
- Understand how the grievance and support processes work
- Ask questions and meet your Union team
Why It Matters
Union Orientation helps ensure that every new employee:
- Understands their rights and benefits under the Collective Agreement
- Knows who to contact for support or questions
- Becomes part of a strong and informed Union community
New Employee Union Orientation for Academic Assistants
Academic Assistants, do not have a formal Union Orientation Session negotiated within their Collective Agreement, but when you start your new job with Queen’s, it’s important to know your rights and who represents you.
Work/Term Contract Appointment Letter
Step 1 → Know Your Union Representatives
- When you’re hired, the Employer will tell you the name and email of your Union Representatives, the Unit Chairperson, and the Local Union President on your contract letter so you know who to contact for help or questions.
Step 2 → Reaching Out
- Every new and returning Academic Assistant who is part of USW Local 2010-01 is encouraged to reach out to your Union to meet your Unit Chairperson, your Union Representatives, and learn about the benefits of membership.
- Your Unit Chairperson or Union Representative will:
- Advise you about your Collective Agreement and workplace rights
- Explain how the grievance and support processes work
- Ensure you understand our rights and benefits under the Collective Agreement
- Make sure you know who to contact for support or questions
- Chat with you so you can ask questions and get to know your Union team