About UCTE

The Union of Canadian Transportation Employees is one of the 17 Components of the Public Service Alliance of Canada. It represents some 7,500 members working for more than 50 employers in various private and public sectors of the Canadian transportation industry, in ports, airports, air navigation (NAV Canada), pilotage authorities, transportation companies, canals (Parks Canada Agency), the Department of Transport, and the lighthouses, ships and bases of the Canadian Coast Guard (Department of Fisheries and Oceans).

Although the majority of our members used to work for the Federal Government, more than one third have been transferred to the private sector in the last five years. This proportion will soon increase to approximately 40 %, as Transport Canada transfers more of its airports to separate airport authorities.

The Department of Transport Component was formed in 1966 when the Canadian Air Services Association and the Canadian Marine National Employees' Association merged. The component changed its name to the Union of Canadian Transport Employees in May 1969 at its first triennial convention.

UCTE is governed according to its By-Laws, set at each convention. Between conventions, the Union is run by the National Executive elected by convention delegates. The National Executive consists of the President, Vice President, and six Regional Vice Presidents elected for a three-year term in a full-time position.

UCTE is divided into 90 Locals, each financed by an amount of Local Rebate Dues determined by Local members at their annual general meeting. As long as it complies with UCTE By-Laws, each Local is entitled to submit resolutions and send one or more delegates to the triennial convention. The total number of delegates is based on Local membership and calculated according to the formula outlined in the By-Laws.