Our union is proudly self-powered by the workers who are members in our union. We have a democratic election process, but also rely on the willingness of all workers in the union to occasionally raise their hand to help out.
Some of our work is recurring, where you would get some initial training and learn-by-doing and then engage with a committee to share the load and best use our respective skills and interests.
Some of our work is tied to a specific task, like bargaining a contract or a campaign to win a change in our workplace — or community!
Some of our work can be done on “official time” (during your normal workday.) Some is done on a volunteer basis outside of work hours. Local 777 does not currently have any staff or officers paid a salary from union funds.
Please take a look to see if any of these opportunities seem interesting — then consider talking to an officer, or nominating yourself to run for office!
Appointed roles:
- Stewards
- Advocates
- Organizers
- Financial Inspectors
Elected roles:
- Vice-President
- Vice-Secretary
- Vice-Treasurer
- Lead Steward
- Lead Advocate
- Lead Organizer
- CLC Delegate
- IFPTE Convention Delegate
Stewards
Any member of Local 777 (including Advocate and Retiree members) can volunteer as an appointed Steward. These members represent their fellow workers — whether in grievances, arbitration, in EEO complaints and requests, in discipline, worker’s compensation claims, and safety inspections and complaints. Most of this work can be done on “official time” (during your normal workday.)
Advocates
Any member of Local 777 (including Associate and Retiree members) can volunteer as an appointed Advocate. These members help tell our story to Congress, agency leaders, and the public. They survey their fellow workers to formulate our collective positions. They help shape our formal responses to agency rulemaking and hearings. This role has a mix of things that can be done on “official time” (during your normal workday) and things that need to be done in a non-duty (volunteer) basis.
Organizers
Any member of Local 777 (including Advocate and Retiree members) can volunteer as an appointed Organizer. These members help new members join our union. They educate their fellow workers on our rights and how to hold management accountable. They lead campaigns to collectively solve problems in the workplace — whether that’s a petition, a march on the boss, an informational picket, or some other creative solution. This role has a mix of things that can be done on “official time” (during your normal workday) and things that need to be done in a non-duty (volunteer) basis.
Vice-Presidents
Each chapter of Local 777 has one Vice-President as its elected leader. Of these, one VP is elected to also serve as the President of Local 777.
- Lead meetings of the Chapter [Local].
- Lead the Chapter Steering Committee. [Lead the Local Executive Board.]
- Ensure that all other Chapter [Local] responsibilities are met — generally by ensuring that elected and appointed positions are filled and functioning.
Vice-Treasurers
Each Chapter of Local 777 has an elected Vice-Treasurer. Of these, one is elected to also serve as the Local 777 Treasurer.
- Develop the budget for the Chapter [Local] and report on finances.
- Ensure the required forms are filed with the IRS and DOL each year.
- Help pay bills, make purchases, and reimburse expenses.
Vice-Secretaries
Each Chapter of Local 777 has an elected Vice-Secretary. Of these, one is elected to also serve as the Local 777 Secretary.
- Record minutes of Chapter [Local] meetings.
- Keep the Chapter [Local] roster up to date, including maintaining lists of represented bargaining unit employees.
Lead Stewards
Each Chapter of Local 777 has an elected Lead Steward. Of these, one is elected to also serve as the Local 777 Chief Steward. These elected stewards also coordinate and assist the work of the appointed shop stewards (described above). In addition, they—
- Determine bargaining and grievance strategy and priorities.
- Ensure all stewards are trained and gain experience.
Lead Advocates
Each Chapter of Local 777 has an elected Lead Advocate. Of these, one is elected to also serve as the Local 777 Chief Advocate. These elected advocates also coordinate and assist the work of the appointed shop advocates. In addition—
- Attend the IFPTE Legislative Advocacy Conference.
- Participate in Committee on Political Education (COPE) meetings of the CLC and/or State AFL-CIO federations.
Lead Organizers
Each Chapter of Local 777 has an elected Lead Organizer. Of these, one is elected to also serve as the Local 777 Chief Organizer. These elected organizers also coordinate and assist the work of the appointed shop organizers. In addition—
- Ensure the Chapter [Local] website, social media, and other communication outlets are updated regularly.
- Develops and obtains Chapter [Local] merchandise/promotional materials.
CLC Delegates
Local 777 is affiliated with a number of central labor councils (CLC) where we have members. These groups are geographical-based groups of labor unions across all industries and trades. The Local may name delegate(s) to these bodies based on our membership size in that area. The delegates attend the CLC delegates meetings (typically monthly) and any committees they may choose to participate in. We currently are affiliated with the Chicago Federation of Labor, and the Sacramento Central Labor Council.
