Your CEA and local union membership ensures there are many people working to support you and your professional career. Who are some of these key people?
Building Representative: A union member who serves as a leader at the school level. A building rep engages new members, organizes colleagues for collective actions, and may represent members in discussions or grievances with management. The Building Rep is the bridge between a school and your larger local association. In other unions, this role is sometimes referred to as a steward.
Local President: A member elected to serve as president of your local association. This person serves as leader of the local union and executive committee, spokesperson for the union, runs union meetings, communicates union priorities with members, negotiates the contract as part of a bargaining team, and works with school administrators, making decisions to help you and the teaching profession. The president’s role is like that of a team captain who looks out for issues and problems and motivates people to work together toward achieving common goals.
UniServ Representative: A CEA staff person who supports the state union, local union, and individual union members through varying roles and responsibilities such as supporting collective bargaining, contract enforcement, member representation, and upholding employee rights, member organizing, and political action. Your UniServ Rep is there to advise your association’s leadership and provide additional support should an incident occur that might threaten a member’s reputation, certification, or livelihood.
