It will soon be time for our Annual General Meetings (AGMs) across our locals and sub-locals, and with them comes the important responsibility of electing our union officers.

GSU’s strength is driven by active engagement and workplace democracy. Electing fellow members to step up as local officers ensures that every member and workplace is represented by people who do the work and truly understand what happens on the shop floor every single day.

Getting members involved is a priority

Increasing member engagement and participation has become a key focus of the Joint Executive Council’s (JEC) ongoing work. The JEC recognizes that GSU’s strength is its active members. To effectively defend worker rights, negotiate solid collective agreements, and address workplace concerns, we need members involved at every level—starting right in your local work area.

Improving communication

Elected local leadership is the essential connective tissue of our union and an important line of communication:

• Bringing Issues Upward: Your day-to-day challenges, safety concerns and workplace needs get direct attention when you have a dedicated local officer on site in the workplace and advocating for you at union meetings.
  
  
• Bringing Information Back: Effective representation also means transparency and connection. Officers take updates, strategy, policy decisions, and bargaining progress directly from council and committee meetings and bring them back to members.

Strong, workplace representatives power our communication loop, driving our collective bargaining power and effectiveness.

Show up and participate!

Whether you are considering standing for an elected officer position, nominating a colleague who demonstrates strong leadership, or simply casting your vote, your participation is an important part of ensuring you and your coworkers are represented and your issues are addressed.

Watch for details on your Local’s AGM date, time, and location. Attend your meeting and choose leadership that reflects your needs so we can continue to build an active, informed, and united GSU.