Im a new union steward
- Thread starter dire2000
- Start date
Go to the next Local Union steward seminar. If none are scheduled, ask for a new steward orientation class.
East coast navy
Veteran
Work things out with good managers. Bad ones crush them. Make them wish they never took the promotion.
Anonymous 10
Guest
Don't overreact. You know that saying about being a bull and there's a bunch of cows down a hill?? Don't run down the hill just kind of stroll down there and check it out. Seriously though don't be afraid of saying you don't know something. Just say you don't know and that you will find out and get back to them ASAP. Take their phone number and give them yours. I've got over 400 members phone numbers in my phone.
grgrcr88
No It's not green grocer!
Education is the key. Knowledge will help you more than anything. Learn the contract backwards and forwards to the point you can recite most of it verbatim! Learn the 340 methods or whatever methods apply to your particular job. Pick up a book called The Legal Rights of a Union Steward and read it thru a few times.
Get thick skin, don't be afraid t stand up for whats right and tell a member if they are wrong. It will feel like babysitting some times, you will get a thousand questions a day. Don't ever guess. If you don't know find out for certain before answering. Take very thorough notes on everything. Get your business agents cell phone number and don't be afraid to use it!
Attend every local union meeting and ask questions of the senior members. Listen to their stories and learn from their past victories and defeats.
Most of all, do not do it to try to benefit yourself! If you think your gonna get special treatment, your right, you are now expected to be a role model for the other members, which means you are held to a higher standard and are scrutinized even more than before!! It can be a very frustrating and sometimes very maddening and thankless job, but helping one member makes it all worth it!
Remember, your responsibility as a Steward is to protect the contractual rights of your members. Always keep them informed if you feel they have been wronged in some way.
You will have to build a good working relationship with your management team. That does not mean you have to agree with them but at the end of the day you have to work with them yo accomplish your objectives. Treat them with the respect they deserve and that you expect from them.
Always take your members behind closed doors for any and all meetings with management, never on the shop floor. You never know what may end up being said and you cannot disrespect your manager in front of other employees. Once behind closed doors while representing a member you are now considered equals and much more leeway is given!!
EDUCATE YOURSELF AND YOUR MEMBERS!!!!!
Good luck to you Brother and THANK YOU for your service to your members and your Union!!
Get thick skin, don't be afraid t stand up for whats right and tell a member if they are wrong. It will feel like babysitting some times, you will get a thousand questions a day. Don't ever guess. If you don't know find out for certain before answering. Take very thorough notes on everything. Get your business agents cell phone number and don't be afraid to use it!
Attend every local union meeting and ask questions of the senior members. Listen to their stories and learn from their past victories and defeats.
Most of all, do not do it to try to benefit yourself! If you think your gonna get special treatment, your right, you are now expected to be a role model for the other members, which means you are held to a higher standard and are scrutinized even more than before!! It can be a very frustrating and sometimes very maddening and thankless job, but helping one member makes it all worth it!
Remember, your responsibility as a Steward is to protect the contractual rights of your members. Always keep them informed if you feel they have been wronged in some way.
You will have to build a good working relationship with your management team. That does not mean you have to agree with them but at the end of the day you have to work with them yo accomplish your objectives. Treat them with the respect they deserve and that you expect from them.
Always take your members behind closed doors for any and all meetings with management, never on the shop floor. You never know what may end up being said and you cannot disrespect your manager in front of other employees. Once behind closed doors while representing a member you are now considered equals and much more leeway is given!!
EDUCATE YOURSELF AND YOUR MEMBERS!!!!!
Good luck to you Brother and THANK YOU for your service to your members and your Union!!
PiedmontSteward
RTW-4-Less
It's not all chest thumping and screaming, in fact, there's very little of that. 98% of what you do involves being reasonable. Are you FT or PT?
Anonymous 10
Guest
Drink beers on Friday nights.
BamBamNJPar
New Member
Your going to make mistakes its normal don't be afraid to talk to other older stewards. People are going to dislike your actions on both sides, just be honest with them and also with your self. If it doesn't feel right it probably isn't. You must have Integrity doing this job people are counting on you to do and say the right things. It's impossible to make everyone happy. Just follow the contract and if your unsure of something just call your BA hopefully he can give you the answer you need to do the right thing. Good luck!!!
WESLA
It is what it is
I would add that if you have the fire in you to be a steward, don't lose it. Always remember why you became a steward. There will be those days where your tired and just want to go home, and an issue will arise, and you gotta be able to deal with it.
And to lead by example.
And to lead by example.
