Alika Hendricks
UNIT DIRECTOR Q & A
I have built a reputation both with members and with LAO for being trustworthy, dedicated and solutions-focused. I helped to bargain our first collective agreement, designed local policy, recruited delegates, resolved grievances and called-out LAO’s bad behaviour
DISCUSSING THE ISSUES
SOCIETY Q1: Motivating our members to get more involved with our union is critically important to our success. Some examples of member involvement include: attending meetings, participating in rallies, signing petitions and serving as a delegate or committee rep. If you were elected Unit Director what would you do to increase member involvement and promote active participation?
ALIKA: A key component of leadership is developing other leaders. When workplace issues arise, in those moments, I notice who steps up with ideas. These are the people I encourage and support in their leadership journey. I prioritize collaboration with them as they take on new responsibilities in our union. I co-lead office meetings with delegates who want that support. Further, I believe that face-to-face office meetings are the best way to connect directly with the membership and strategize solutions to emergent issues. I also propose to convene periodic virtual social gatherings, coupled with brief union-related updates, to foster greater engagement.
SOCIETY Q2: What experience do you have that would help you be successful in the role of Unit Director?
ALIKA: I have been the GTA Unit Director since 2019. A UD is a trusted colleague and advocate for members, an astute policy developer with the Local Committee and a tenacious negotiator with the Employer-Society Relations Committee and in bargaining. I’ve been doing this work and understand the diversity of members’ concerns and that solutions must be tailored to each work context. I have built a reputation both with members and with LAO for being trustworthy, dedicated and solutions-focused. I helped to bargain our first collective agreement, designed local policy, recruited delegates, resolved grievances and called-out LAO’s bad behaviour.
SOCIETY Q3: Society members share many common issues; however some are unique to their immediate workplace or type of work they perform. What do you think are the most important issues affecting the members in the unit, and how do you plan to address them if elected?
ALIKA: The GTA unit is comprised of lawyers in a diversity of roles-- from trial lawyers to policy counsel, research counsel to case management counsel, family and criminal DC to immigration and clinic counsel. Our issues are not all the same, but we all want LAO to support us and our work, rather than hinder us. We want to be safe at work. We want fairness and transparency, flexible work, and equitable access to career advancement. I am committed to bargaining to secure improvements on members’ priorities and make the improvements we’ve already achieved on paper… a reality in every workplace.
SOCIETY Q4: Discuss your experience representing member concerns to management, your level of comfort representing members in the grievance process and how you would effectively represent members while sustaining a productive working relationship with management
ALIKA: I’ve listened to members and drafted grievances, represented members at harassment investigations, and participated in resolution discussions with the Director of HR among others. I have developed constructive working relationships with LAO’s frontline and senior managers, as well as HR staff. They have come to expect from me that I will be clear about the issues, unwavering in my support of members, but also professional in tone. When dealing with management, as much as possible I aim to disagree without being disagreeable. Effective collaboration is key. Persuasion and negotiation are important skills in securing desirable outcomes for members.