It is the successor organization to the College Faculties Federation formed in 1970. Structure CIEA operates at the local and provincial levels. CIEA member locals are autonomous organizations with CIEA as their provincial voice. Locals are democratically structured, with elected local executive bodies. Many locals purchase time release for local officers to do union business and provide member services.
Some locals employ their own support staff.
Each year, CIEA holds an Annual General Meeting where delegates elected by member locals participate in workshops and approve policy, priorities and a budget to guide the work of the organization over the coming year. The activities of CIEA are governed by policy and procedures developed at AGMs. A six member Executive Committee , consisting of the four provincial officers and two at-large officers, assists the Presidents' Council. Top At CIEA's provincial office in Vancouver, the President and Secretary-Treasurer work alongside CIEA's professional and support staff. CIEA's labour relations staff representatives provide a full range of labour relations services to locals and support CIEA work on provincial initiatives in a wide range of areas including pensions, education technology and benefits.