HEU’s biennial convention is the supreme policy-making body of the union.
Held every two years, the convention brings together delegates from across the province to collectively determine the union's priorities and course of direction.
During the convention, delegates discuss and vote on resolutions and any proposed changes to the union’s constitution and by-laws that have been brought forward by their locals.
Delegates also elect the union’s Provincial Executive and ratify the hiring, or reappointment, of HEU’s secretary-business manager.
The union also holds pre-bargaining occupational conferences and a provincial Wage Policy Conference prior to the expiry of the facilities subsector collective agreement. Locals elect delegates to attend the pre-bargaining conference and adopt bargaining demands that are discussed and voted on by delegates in attendance.
Delegates also elect a 10-person provincial bargaining committee to oversee negotiations.
There are also pre-bargaining conferences for community health, community social services and the "Big" (Sodexo, Aramark, Compass), during which bargaining committees are also elected.
And as of convention 2010, pre-bargaining conferences will also be held for members covered by independent contracts.