Labor
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Political Activist
The steward has the responsibility to make the members aware of political affairs that effect their livelihood and social well-being, including keeping them informed as to legislation that affects the collective bargaining process and climate. the steward should also become involved in politics by helping on campaigns of labor-endorsed candidates. Listed below are the things the steward should do and know to fulfill the role of political activist and suggestions as to how to do them:
THE STEWARD AS A POLITICAL ACTIVIST
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What you do:
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KEEP MEMBERS INFORMED ABOUT POLITICAL EVENTS ___________________________________________________________
REGISTER AND VOTE IN ALL ELECTIONS
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ENCOURAGE EVERYONE IN YOUR DEPARTMENT TO VOTE ___________________________________________________________
WRITE LETTERS TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVES AND ENCOURAGE OTHER SECURITY OFFICERS TO DO SO ___________________________________________________________
WORK ON CAMPAIGNS OF LABOR ENDORSED CANDIDATES
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What you need to know: ___________________________________________________________
PENDING LEGISLATION THAT AFFECTS SECURITY OFFICERS AND WORKERS RIGHTS
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OUR NATION CANNOT REMAIN DEMOCRATIC WITHOUT THE PARTICIPATION OF THE PEOPLE
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WHO IS NOT REGISTERED, AND WHO NEEDS PRODDING TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE ___________________________________________________________
WHO YOUR LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES ARE AND CURRENT ISSUES WHICH MAY AFFECT SPFPA MEMBERS
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WHO IHAS BEEN ENDORSED AND WHY
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THE POLITICAL POSITIONS YOUR UNION, SPFPA HAS TAKEN
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How You go about it
1. Read newspapers and union literature, The Legislative Alerts SPFPA puts out on our website, and your international paper, so that you understand the issues from a labor perspective.
2. Attend education programs that address the issues.
3. Volunteer to work on a phone bank, knock on doors, stuff envelopes or pass out fliers for a labor endorsed candidate.
4. Organize letter writing campaigns to your representatives on important labor issues.
5. Participate in "actions" organized by your union, such as rallies and marches.
6. Distribute union literature to all members.
In Your Role As An Organizer, Be Sure To MEET THE NEW HIRE ON THE FIRST DAY!
What do you think the new hire wants and needs to know the first day on the job?
Do you remember your "FIRST DAY" on the job?
Put yourself in the new hire's shoes! That plant or office, department, job, and everything about it is going to be NEW---STRANGE----and just a little bit UNREAL. Remember? The new hire is going to want to know, and will be thinking about, many things. If you were the new hire, would you be thinking.
1. Should I really be here?
2. What's expected of me on the job?
3. How much "break-in" will I have before I'm on my own?
4. Can I do the job?
5. How will the other workers accept me?
6. Where did they say the rest rooms and vending areas are?
7. What should I remember about what the Boss told me? The Union rep?
8 .By the way, I wonder what a union rep really looks like? After all, I don't know much about leaders.
That first day is so rough that most people remember it for the rest of their lives! The first day is when the new hire needs a friendly "welcome" Remember?
Tips For Face-To-Face Contacts
Introduce yourself.
Make eye contact.
Contact at the right time. Do not contact an employee during normal work hours - catch them during break, lunch, or before or after work.
Be yourself. Smile, relax, use the kind of language you use every day.
Have some piece of information to give or leave with the worker to break the ice.
Be polite. If a worker refuses to talk to you, don't get into an argument, tell the person you'll catch them another time (do follow up).
Be frank. If you get a question that you can't answer, don't try to bluff. Tell the person you will try to get the answer.
Don't preach. You should talk about the issue to help lead the person to his or her own conclusion. This is a much more effective approach than a hard sell.
Listen. Listen to what the worker says - it will give you insight into their particular concerns and objections. Sometimes the best way to convince a person is just by listening and letting them know that the union cares what they think.
BE PROUD OF YOUR UNION SPFPA AND WHAT WE STAND FOR!
