How amalgamated locals work

The most important day-to-day work of our union takes place at the local level — from handling grievances to solving health and safety problems to bargaining local contracts to grassroots political action.

An amalgamated local comprises workers from multiple employers; units of the local are composed of members who work for a single employer.

Because we know there is strength in numbers, an amalgamated local creates strength, solidarity and financial benefits for all the members at different workplaces.

The collective membership from all the units runs the amalgamated local. Members in good standing can nominate, run for and elect the local’s executive board. The president, vice president, financial secretary, recording secretary, sergeant-at-arms, guide and three trustees are elected to run the administrative duties of the amalgamated local.

At amalgamated local union meetings, issues that affect the entire membership are handled. Each amalgamated local has its own set of bylaws and standing committees consistent with the UAW Constitution.

Members of each unit nominate, run for and elect their bargaining committee and stewards/grievance handlers. Each unit develops bylaws (consistent with the local bylaws and the UAW Constitution) that govern the unit. The unit’s bargaining committee handles contract negotiations for a unit. In some cases, the president of the amalgamated local may sit in on unit negotiations, but only the membership of that unit votes at contract ratification.

Units of an amalgamated local pool financial resources and work, but each unit directs its workplace operations, holds meetings, and elects grievance handlers and bargaining committees.

The key distinction between the local president and the bargaining chair is that the president is the local’s administrator and the bargaining chair deals with the employer on all matters that pertain to the workplace.

This is a new column by the UAW Education Department on how our union works.