FAQ

 

  1. Who can attend the Ratification Meeting and Vote?

Anyone who is a current member working for the City of Windsor can attend the meeting and cast a ballot. This includes members currently on layoff,  Leave of Absence, or Long Term Disability.

 

  1. When is the Ratification Meeting?

The meetings will take place on Tuesday, 26 January 2021. Since we have members who work over three shifts, there will be two meetings to enable maximum participation. The first meeting will occur at 8:30AM EST and the second meeting will occur at 6:30PM EST. Please attend the meeting which occurs outside your work schedule.

 

  1. I am a member, but I do not have a Union card, can I participate in the Ratification Meeting and Vote?

Yes, you can participate. You do not require a Union card or to be sworn in to participate in this meeting and cast a ballot.

 

  1. I am a currently off work due to Layoff, Leave of Absence, or Long-Term Disability from the City of Windsor, can I participate in the Ratification Meeting and Vote?

Yes, you can participate. If you are able to return to work with the City of Windsor, awaiting the City of Windsor’s Long-Term Disability benefit approval, or accessing the City of Windsor’s Long-Term Disability benefit you are still a member and can participate in the ratification meeting and subsequent vote.

 

  1. Can I attend the Ratification Meeting In-Person?

No. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic and Public Health guidance, we are unable to host an in-person meeting. The ratification meeting will be hosted virtually using a software application called Zoom. The ratification vote will be conducted using a secure ballot through our vendor Simply Voting.

 

  1. Who is on the City of Windsor Bargaining Committee for the Union?

David Petten – President, Public Works, Pollution Control

Mary Carroll – 1st Vice-President, Huron Lodge

Kelly Poisson – 2nd Vice-President, Employment and Social Services

Amanda Brazeau – Sergeant-At-Arms, Purchasing

Jay Gannon – Executive Member-At-Large, Employment and Social Services

Kristin MacLaren – Executive Member-At-Large, Information Technology

 

  1. What do I need to participate in the Ratification Meeting?

You need a personal Email address and device (Computer, Phone, Tablet) which can connect to the internet and use the virtual meeting software known as Zoom (click here for Zoom Requirements). You will also need to be able to connect to the internet using Wi-Fi, cellular data, or a direct internet connection.

 

  1. When will the Ratification Vote take place?

The Ratification Vote will occur by Email through a third-party vendor called Simply Voting. Voting will begin at 9:00PM EST on Tuesday, 26 January 2021, and will end at 11:59PM EST on Wednesday, 27 January 2021. If you have registered your personal Email with the Local, you will receive an Email with voting instructions before 9:00PM EST, on Tuesday, 26 January 2021. A separate Email with a link to vote will be provided. Your password will be your City of Windsor Employee ID Number.

 

  1. How to I register my personal Email with the Union?

Please send your personal Email address to Register@CUPE543.ca no later than Friday, 22 January 2021. You will receive confirmation that the Union has received your Email. Note: If you have been receiving Bargaining Updates from the Local, your Email address is already registered.

 

  1. I registered my personal Email in the past, but I have not received any Emails from the Local, what do I do?

Please check your Junk or Spam Folders for the Email. Please note that even if you receive one Email in your Inbox, the next Email may appear in your Junk or Spam Folder. If the Email is not there, please contact the Local for assistance: register@CUPE543.ca or 519.254.3543.

 

Note: We are aware of an issue with Cogeco.ca Emails and our mass Email vendor SendInBlue. We are currently working with the vendor to rectify the issue.

 

  1. How will the Ratification Vote occur?

The Ratification Vote will occur by an Email invitation through our third-party vendor called Simply Voting (www.simplyvoting.ca). Your personal Email must be registered with the Union to receive the invite. You will be sent a reminder Email from Simply Voting, to notify you of the upcoming meeting and vote by Sunday, 24 January 2021. Check your Junk or Spam Email if you do not receive it in your Inbox.

Prior to 9:00PM on Tuesday, 26 January 2021, you will receive an Email with a link to access your ballot. You must click on the link to be taken to the secure ballot page. The password you must enter is your City of Windsor Employee ID Number.

If you do not know your City of Windsor Employee ID Number, you can find it by logging into Workforce Management (WFM), going to your current “Pay Advice” and then clicking on your name. You can also contact the Employee Service Centre (ESC) by Email at esc@citywindsor.ca or phone at 519-946-1372 to get your ID Number.

  1. Is my Vote secure?

Your vote is secure and anonymous. The Local will only receive the final tabulated vote. We will also be able to determine if you voted, but not how you voted. Please note, you will only be able to vote once. Once you confirm your vote, you will not be able to change it.

 

  1. I did not receive my Ratification Meeting Email Invite and/or Ratification Vote Email.

Please check your Spam or Junk Email folders first to see if the Email is there. If not, please call or Email the local at 519.254.3543 or Register@CUPE543.ca, for assistance; please do this well in advance of the Meeting time or Voting end time. As you may appreciate, the closer we get to the meeting time and vote end time, it may become more difficult to troubleshoot in time to allow participation. No votes will be accepted after 11:59PM EST on Wednesday, 27 January 2021.

 

  1. I have never used Zoom before, what should I expect?
  • You will receive a Zoom invite via Email to participate in one of the scheduled meetings of your choosing. Click on the link up to thirty minutes prior to the meeting start time to participate.
  • Once you click on the meeting link, you will be placed in a “waiting-room”.
  • The host will admit you prior to the meeting.
  • Sometimes, due to internet connectivity issues, you may get disconnected. Should this occur, click on the link to rejoin the meeting and you will be readmitted by the host.

 

  1. I am already receiving Email correspondence from the Union, do I have to register?

If you are already receiving Email correspondence from the Union, you do not have to register again.

 

  1. I have never used Zoom before, how do I join a meeting?

This link provides some instruction on how to join a Zoom meeting (https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-Joining-a-meeting). Please note that once you have joined, you will start in a virtual waiting room until you are admitted.

 

  1. How do I ask questions in the Ratification (Zoom) Meeting?

During the first part of the meeting, we will review the Ratification document. As questions arise, please enter your question(s) in the chat function. This short YouTube video shows you how to use the chat function in Zoom (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSljdBPxeU0). We will be monitoring the chat function and will try to answer the questions in the order we receive them. Please note, we will only be answering questions that pertain to the Ratification Meeting and Vote.

 

  1. Will we be voting at the Ratification Meeting?

No, the vote will begin at 9:00PM on Tuesday, 26 January 2021, through online voting. Voting will end at 11:59PM on Wednesday, 27 January 2021. You will receive an Email providing a link to allow you to vote. Your password will be your City of Windsor Employee ID Number.