Instructors are members of what is called the bargaining unit.
Amongst other things, this means that everyone gets the same rights under the same contract and has an equal use of Union resources to assist them in employment-related issues. This also means that everyone pays Union dues. The Union encourages every member of the bargaining unit to complete the application for union membership and become a member of the Union. Only members of the Union may participate in Union meetings and referenda, or serve as departmental Stewards, Bargaining Committee members, executive officers or trustees. The membership of the Union adopts the annual budget, receives reports from the Secretary-Treasurer on expenditures and revenues, adopts policies and bargaining proposals, elects the bargaining committee, sends members to conferences, conventions and seminars, and so on.