Appendix “A”
The membership evidence submitted with this application for certification was obtained through the Applicant’s electronic Application for Membership application. The process by which the Applicant has created, used, and collected electronic membership cards is outlined below:
1. The Carpenters’ District Council of Ontario, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America has developed an application by which individuals can electronically submit applications for membership in any of the Applicant’s constituent local unions. These applications can be submitted in one of two ways (1) by applying through a computer-based application; or (2) by applying through an application downloaded by the individual seeking membership through the Apple Store (for iPhone users) or through the Google Play Store (for Android phone users).
2. In the present case, one piece of membership evidence was completed through an application downloaded to be completed by cellular phone (Mike Carvalho) and two pieces of membership evidence were completed through a computer-based application (Reinaldo Costa and Pedro Martins)
Cellular Phone Application based Application for Membership
3. Once the individual seeking membership has downloaded the application or opened the computer application, he or she is prompted to begin his or her application by clicking “Begin”.
4. Once the individual seeking membership has clicked “Begin”, he or she has 10 minutes to complete the application. This is to ensure that all of the application information is secure during transmission.
5. The individual seeking membership is then asked to provide his or her First Name, Last Name, Date of Birth, an Email Address (and asked to verify that email address by inputting it again), and a Mobile Telephone Number.
6. A verification code is then texted to the Mobile Number provided by the individual seeking membership through a cellular telephone application. The individual is prompted to type in the Verification Code texted to the mobile number provided.
7. The application then requires verification of the individual seeking membership in one of two ways. The individual may either choose to verify his or her identity by having a photograph taken through the application or by providing fingerprint authentication through the applicant via Touch ID (or Face ID if applicable) on the individual’s phone. This confirms that the individual seeking membership is using his or her own mobile telephone to apply.
8. Following that verification, the individual is prompted to provide his or her Address (Street Number, Suite Number, City, Province and Postal Code) and is also asked to select the constituent local union for which he or she is applying for membership in. All of the constituent local unions of the Carpenters’ District Council of Ontario, UBCJA are included on a drop-down menu for the individual seeking membership to choose from.
9. The individual seeking membership is then presented with a Summary page which displays the photograph taken (if that is the method of verification chosen), as well as the Name and Address provided. Importantly, this Summary Page also requires the individual to provide his or her signature by signing with a finger (or stylus) in a box. The individual is also required to check a box indicating agreement with the following paragraph (which is identical to the language on the traditional paper Application for Membership card):
I hereby apply for membership in United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local [the local is autofilled with the selection chosen from the drop down menu on the page prior] and hereby of my own free will and accord, authorize the Union or its designates to act for me as collective bargaining agent in all matters pertaining to rates of wages, hours of work and other conditions of employment.
10. Once the individual seeking membership has checked the box, he or she then clicks a button marked “Submit”. The individual seeking membership is then advised that the application has been received and a representative will contact the individual seeking membership within 24-48 hours.
Web-Based Application
11. For the computer-based applications, the individual applying for membership provides the same information as in the cellular application (Full Name, Birthdate, Email Address, Street Address, Cellular Telephone Number), selects the local to which he or she is applying for membership, reviews the application for membership paragraph (as set out in paragraph 9, above), and provides a signature with his or her finger (if the application is completed on a cellphone or tablet) or mouse (if the application is completed on a computer).
12. Once the individual applying for membership has clicked “Submit”, a text is sent to the cellular telephone number provided which states:
Your mobile number is being used for the Carpenters’ District Council of Ontario, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America membership. If this is you, click here: https://thecarpentersunionapp.ca/verification to continue your application. If this is not you, click here: https://thecarpentersunionapp.ca/report to report.
13. Once the individual clicks the link to verify the application, he or she is brought to a landing page which advises that the application has been received and a representative will be in contact within 24-48 hours.
14. Regardless of the manner in which the application for membership was completed (via a downloaded application or via the web-based application), once the application for membership has been submitted, it cannot be altered by any person.
15. At the time the application is submitted, an email is automatically generated from info@thecarpentersunionapp.ca to the Director of Organizing. This email advises that “There is a new application from [name of person seeking membership]”. The email is date and time stamped as of the time the application was submitted.
16. After receiving notice that an application has been filed, the administrator (at this time the Director of Organizing) then calls the individual seeking membership to confirm that he or she intended to apply for membership in the local identified. Upon verifying that this is correct, the administrator then approves the application for membership.
17. Henry Pereira, the Director of Organizing, telephoned Mike Carvahlo and Reinaldo Costa on March 30, 2021 and telephone Pedro Martins on March 31, 2021 to confirm that each intended to apply for membership in Local 785 of the UBCJA. Upon receiving verbal confirmation, Mr. Pereira approved the applications for membership.
18. Upon being notified that an application for membership has been received (and after the application has been approved), the administrator of the application (at this time, only the Director of Organizing) can then print of a .pdf document which is used as the “Membership Evidence” submitted with an application for certification. This .pdf document includes the individual’s Name, Date of Birth, Email Address, Mobile Phone Number, Address, Local Union, the IP Address and IP Location from where the application was made, the date the Application was created and the date the Application was approved. It also identifies the manner in which the identity of the individual was verified through the application (i.e., fingerprint, photograph, or two-step authentication). It also includes the full paragraph identified in paragraph 9 (with the appropriate constituent local union filled in) and the Signature of the individual seeking membership.
19. Once the application for membership has been accepted, the .pdf is printed and can be submitted together with an application for certification as membership evidence.
