How do I get part timers more involved in the union?

[Brokene46]

Hey everyone, so as of recently my local appointed me as a shop steward because there was nobody else that had any significant interest in it.

Something I’ve been running into an issue with is that the members aren’t active nobody shows up to General membership meetings or participates in the safety committee etc…

Does anybody have any advice on how to build relationships with the members and get everyone more active?

For reference I’m a PT inside steward

 

[I have been lurking]

Inform them of Article 37 and 3.whatever for sups working

 

[nWo]

Safety committees are a waste of time.

What do you want them to do? File more grievances?

 

[...]

Hey everyone, so as of recently my local appointed me as a shop steward because there was nobody else that had any significant interest in it.

Something I’ve been running into an issue with is that the members aren’t active nobody shows up to General membership meetings or participates in the safety committee etc…

Does anybody have any advice on how to build relationships with the members and get everyone more active?

For reference I’m a PT inside steward

You don't. I was never a steward, but I tried to get people involved myself. The most common excuse I ever ran into was "I don't want to make waves. I just want to do my job and go home/my other job."

I doubt you'll have much more luck, but I do hope you succeed. I'm just not an optimist in this area.

 

[PT Crazy]

Make yourself available before and after the shift. Let the part timers ask questions about the union. Start basic. Might help!

 

[542thruNthru]

Hey everyone, so as of recently my local appointed me as a shop steward because there was nobody else that had any significant interest in it.

Something I’ve been running into an issue with is that the members aren’t active nobody shows up to General membership meetings or participates in the safety committee etc…

Does anybody have any advice on how to build relationships with the members and get everyone more active?

For reference I’m a PT inside steward

How many people on your shift? How many shop stewards?

 

[Brokene46]

How many people on your shift? How many shop stewards?

There’s three of us with one alternate

 

[Brokene46]

Make yourself available before and after the shift. Let the part timers ask questions about the union. Start basic. Might help!

Thank you for the advice gonna try to ramp up my effort on being more approachable

 

[Brokene46]

Safety committees are a waste of time.

What do you want them to do? File more grievances?

File grievances, attend meetings, know their rights all of the above are important because we have a contract expiring in 16 months

 

[PT 4 Life]

You don't. I was never a steward, but I tried to get people involved myself. The most common excuse I ever ran into was "I don't want to make waves. I just want to do my job and go home/my other job."

I doubt you'll have much more luck, but I do hope you succeed. I'm just not an optimist in this area.

In the same boat. half the part timers I’m with don’t even know we have a union. It’s pretty much what management wants.

 

[542thruNthru]

There’s three of us with one alternate

Start a group txt with the other stewards including the alternate. You can also get some or all of them to stand outside before work and pass out information about what's going on in the local. What articles to be aware of. Space this out and have something to pass out. Lots will ignore you but just keep at it. Be friendly and don't tell someone what you think is the answer. Tell them you'll get back to them and then get them the correct answer. It's also a good way to talk to the new guys as they get hired. Exchanging numbers at the same time so that when they have problems or questions they can reach out to you.

 

[nWo]

Attend the meetings then share the important information to your coworkers.

A lot of part timers don't file many grievances because there's not much for them to file on. They show up on time, get their 3.5 and go home. Then others will want to file because someone with less seniority then them was pushing a recycle cart.

 

[2Down2Many2Go]

Attend the meetings then share the important information to your coworkers.

A lot of part timers don't file many grievances because there's not much for them to file on. They show up on time, get their 3.5 and go home. Then others will want to file because someone with less seniority then them was pushing a recycle cart.

Most part timers don't file many grievances because they're new to the union and don't even what they can file a grievance about.

 

[Brokene46]

In the same boat. half the part timers I’m with don’t even know we have a union. It’s pretty much what management wants.

Yeah it’s frustrating everyone on my twilight shift only cares about weed and video games.

Wishing I was 21 so I can be a driver steward lol

 

[Brokene46]

Start a group txt with the other stewards including the alternate. You can also get some or all of them to stand outside before work and pass out information about what's going on in the local. What articles to be aware of. Space this out and have something to pass out. Lots will ignore you but just keep at it. Be friendly and don't tell someone what you think is the answer. Tell them you'll get back to them and then get them the correct answer. It's also a good way to talk to the new guys as they get hired. Exchanging numbers at the same time so that when they have problems or questions they can reach out to you.

Gonna talk to the other stewards on my shift and create the group text

 

[Brokene46]

Most part timers don't file many grievances because they're new to the union and don't even what they can file a grievance about.

Yeah… there’s that and the response I always get is “ I’m not really a grievance guy “ or “ I’m not trying to rock the boat “

 

[542thruNthru]

Also get some teamster shirts/hats

Yeah… there’s that and the response I always get is “ I’m not really a grievance guy “ or “ I’m not trying to rock the boat “

Don't push them. They all come around after a while. Article 17 seems to be the one that gets them filing their first grievance. Mess with someone's money enough and they grow a set.

 

[Brokene46]

Also get some teamster shirts/hats

Don't push them. They all come around after a while. Article 17 seems to be the one that gets them filing their first grievance. Mess with someone's money enough and they grow a set.

I actually like the idea of getting shirts / hats the E board of my local hasn’t really passed out any for awhile now

 

[Brokene46]

Also get some teamster shirts/hats

Don't push them. They all come around after a while. Article 17 seems to be the one that gets them filing their first grievance. Mess with someone's money enough and they grow a set.

I see your also in the west is member engagement and activism not very common In your hub as well?

 

[542thruNthru]

I actually like the idea of getting shirts / hats the E board of my local hasn’t really passed out any for awhile now

It's a good idea but it cost money. Depending on your local they may not want to just pass them out. Also depends on how many you're talking about.

Start slow. These things do not happen fast. Maybe start with food as guy walk in.