Steward Roles, Rights and Responsibilities

UTD Summer Steward Training

Most Valuable Tools

Union Solidarity Contract Rights Leadership

Roles

LeaderNegotiator/Mediator/Contract

EnforcerEducatorCommunicatorOrganizerRecruiterPolitical ActivistWelcome Committee

Roles Activity

In groups: Rank the roles in order of relative

importance. Add any roles that you think are missing. Discuss how you approach each role as a

steward. Report out by group.

Leader

What you do: What you need to know:

Work for the group welfare Long-range aims of the UNION

Fight for what is right The consequences of your actions

Act promptly and decisively Actions speak louder than words

Establish cordial relations The other person also has a point

Hold no grudges You can't win them all

Discourage factional bickering Why people disagree

Lead instead of drive Adults respond to sound reasoning

Negotiator/Mediator/Contract Enforcer

What you do: What you need to know:

Settle contractual issues Proper handling of contractual issues

Screen gripes from contractual issues How to analyze contractual issues

Police the contract Meaning of contract clauses

Check working conditions Health and safety, contractual rights

Enforce contract/labor law Contract/State and Federal labor law

Keep written records

Educator

What you do: What you need to know:

Keep members fully informed Informed members are loyal members

Discuss and explain policies What the current union initiatives are

Clarify union objectives Union history and current objectives

Explain legislative issues Current and prospective legislation

Stress registering and voting Legislators and voting records

Explain economic impact of legislation How to connect to member's economic reality

Communicator

What you do: What you need to know:

Keep members fully informed Union policies and activities

Detect and stop rumors Where the rumor started and why

Direct problems through proper depts. Members should look to you as their first source

Use a variety of methods to communicate

Union rights to Bulletin Brds, PA, mailboxes, email

Encourage members to make their voices heard

How to contribute to The Activist, Website, surveys

Urge attendance at union meetings

Organizer/Recruiter

What you do: What you need to know:

Organize the unorganized-Goal 100% Real objections of non-members

Greet new employees Who is new to the worksite

Urge attendance at meetings

Develop membership participation Various organizing needs

Combat anti-union activities Who is dissatisfied with the union

Make daily contact with members The union must be visible

Know who is a non-member

Political Activist

What you do: What you need to know:

Keep members informed on political issues Current and prospective legislation

Register and vote in all elections Issues affecting members and educational policy

Encourage all members to vote Who is not registered and who is registered but not voting

Encourage members to contact legislators regularly

How access contact legislators contact information

Get involved in political campaigns Who has been endorsed and why

Responsibilites

Know your Contract Conduct Unit Meetings BOTY Meeting Hold Steward Elections Represent the Contract/Grievances Weingarten Meetings IPEGS Meetings EESAC Meetings Faculty Meetings Bulletin Board

Contract Activity

Review the Contract Create a listing of articles and

clauses that are most important for a steward to know

Share out

Legal Rights of Union Stewards

The Equality Rule Limits

No Retaliation Rule Same Standards Rule

Activity

Weingarten Meetings

Weingarten rights apply only during investigatory interviews

An investigatory interview occurs when Administration questions a member to

obtain information And the member has a reasonable belief

that discipline or other adverse consequences may result.

IPEGS Meetings

Support Dialogue 90-Calendar Day Improvement Plan

Union Rights/Access

Surplus/Involuntary Transfer Uni0n Activities Union Meetings Union Activities at Work Locations Time for Union Representatives Bulletin Boards