The Society of United Professionals is an autonomous local union. While the Society negotiates collective agreements, supports members in their workplaces, and directs its own operations, it is also part of a larger labour family through its affiliation with the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE). The IFPTE is a continental union that represents over 90,000 professional, technical, and administrative workers across Canada and the United States. By being IFPTE Local 160, the Society maintains full control over its own affairs while also benefiting from the solidarity, resources, and political influence that come with belonging to an international federation.