Labor
Union
Resources
Educator
The steward has the responsibility of educating the members in his/her department, both the old and the new, about the collective bargaining agreement, union policy, and why changes occurred. Listed below are some of the things that the steward should do and know to fulfill the role of educator and suggestions as to how to do them:
What you do:
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KEEP MEMBERS FULLY INFORMED ___________________________________________________________
DISCUSS AND EXPLAIN POLICIES
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TELL ABOUT AVAILIBLE UNION COUNSELING
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CLARIFY UNION OBJECTIVES ___________________________________________________________
EXPLAIN LEGISLATIVE ISSUES
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STRESS REGISTERING AND VOTING
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INTERPRET LABOR LEGISLATION
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TELL ECONOMIC "FACTS OF LIFE"
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What you need to know: ___________________________________________________________
INFORMED MEMBERS ARE LOYAL MEMBERS
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WHAT YOUR UNION IS DOING
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SOCIAL AGENCIES AND PROGRAMS AVAILABLE IN THE COMMUNITY ___________________________________________________________
UNION HISTORY
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HOW LAWS ARE MADE AND THEIR IMPACT ON UNIONS
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RESPONSIBILITIES OF CITIZENSHIP
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HOW LABOR LAWS OPERATE __________________________________________________________
HOW OUR SYSTEM FUNCTIONS
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How you go about it:
1. Make person to person contact daily - tell your story - ask for ideas.
2. Distribute union periodicals and literature.
3. Enlarge your own knowledge by attending classes whenever available and share this knowledge with your fellow members.
4. Keep your communication lines open - invite criticism, suggestion and full discussion.
Communicator
The role of communicator runs throughout every other role of the steward. As a democratic institution, a breakdown in communication can seriously damage a union. Listed below are some of the things that the steward should do and know to fulfill the role of communicator, and suggestions as to how to do them:
What you do:
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KEEP MEMBERS FULLY INFORMED ON UNION POLICIES AND ACTIVITIES ___________________________________________________________
DETECT AND STOP RUMORS
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KEEP MEMBERS INFORMED ON COMPANY PROPOSALS AND POLICIES
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DIRECT PROBLEMS THROUGH THE PROPER CHANNELS ___________________________________________________________
USE SEVERAL DIFFERENT METHODS OF COMMUNICATING WITH THE MEMBERS
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ENCOURAGE MEMBERS TO CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER AND WEBSITE
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I URGE ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION AT UNION MEETINGS __________________________________________________________
What you need to know: ___________________________________________________________
UNION POLICIES AND ACTIVITIES AND THEIR RATIONALE
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WHERE THE RUMOR STARTED AND WHY
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MEMBERS SHOULD LOOK TO YOU FOR THEIR INFORMATION ___________________________________________________________
WHO HAS RESPONSIBILITY OVER THE AREA IN QUESTION
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COMMUNICATION METHODS MAY DIFFER ACCORDING TO THE MESSAGE
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THE NEWSLETTER IS THE VOICE OF THE MEMBERS AND OFFICERS
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THE UNION MEETING IS DEMOCRACY IN ACTION __________________________________________________________
How You go about it
1. Make sure your local has its own newsletter and that everyone receives it.
2. Talk to the members daily about the union, ask questions and listen to the responses.
3. Become an active listener as an important way to build solidarity in your union. Active listening is one of the best methods to build solidarity in your union.
4. Keep the union bulletin board updated. Use eye-catching fliers whenever possible.
