So you’re an AMUSE member and you made it to this page because you are curious to know more about getting involved. First, you do not need to know everything about bargaining, be a union expert, or have hours of free time to make a difference.
Worker power is built step by step. Wherever you are starting, there are more ways to get involved.
These might feel like smaller actions, but they do really matter.
Read bargaining emails and updates and the union newsletter
Check the AMUSE website for bargaining news
Wear an AMUSE pin or sticker at work
Stop by the union office to pick up flyers, stickers, pins or other materials
The starting point is simply knowing what’s happening.
A Union becomes stronger when information moves through the workplace, and not just through emails.
Try:
Asking a co-worker: “Did you read that last union email?”
Talking about what you want to see change in your workplace
Sharing an AMUSE bargaining post or update
Passing along a union flyer
Asking coworkers what issues matter most to them
You don’t need to convince anyone of anything - you are just starting a conversation!
You have questions? Ideas? Something happening in your workplace that we should know about?
You can:
Reply to a union email
Write to the union leadership with an issue or idea
Set up a one-on-one call with an AMUSE Executive, Steward or Staff
Ask questions about what is happening at the bargaining table
Tell us what you and your workers want to see improved
Your bargaining team needs to know what workers are experiencing.
One of the easiest ways to become more involved is simply to show up, and be in the room!
Come to an AMUSE union meeting (invites go out via emails and/or call and text banking campaigns)
Attend an event or activity
Attend an open bargaining session and negotiations with McGill happen yourself!
You do not need to speak at a meeting, or know how everything works. You can come listen, ask questions and learn! We always aim to make union meetings as accessible to new union members as possible.
Want to help build union power where you work? Train up to become an AMUSE Union Steward!
Stewards are workers who receive training to:
Help workers understand their rights
Share union and bargaining information
Identify workplace problems
Talk to coworkers about shared concerns
Connect their workplace directly to their union
Helping mobilize coworkers and fellow union members to come out
Building authentic relationships with coworkers and fellow union members to have them collectivize and build power via worker solidarity and their union!
You do not need previous union experience and we train you! Union work done by AMUSE is paid as well!
Want to become even more involved in deciding what your union does?
You can:
Get involved in union committees
Help organize bargaining actions and campaigns
Bring ideas and proposals forward
Run for an elected AMUSE Executive role
Run for a seat on the Board of Representatives
Help shape the present and future of your union!
You do not have to take every step on this page. The point is to take one step further than where you are now!
If you currently skim union emails, maybe your next step is coming to a meeting! If you have already read all the updates, maybe it’s talking to a coworker about them. If you already talk about the union, bring some coworkers to the next meeting. Or if you want to become a strong voice in your workplace, become a Union Steward!
Every conversation, every new person involved and every workplace that gets organized is going to make our union stronger and will help fight for better at the bargaining table and the next collective agreement.
McGill has people at the bargaining table representing the Employer. Your bargaining team needs AMUSE members behind them!