Boywondr
The truth never changes.
The local is the face of the IBT to many members. The stewards can make or break it regardless of the local being weak or crooked. People want to know their representation will fight for them and if that happens members follow their lead.Not denying that but... we still need these good stewards to volunteer. We can't force membership involvement.
All I'm saying is people like to blame 2 things. The local for voter apathy and the PT workers.
It's much much much more then just that.
Just like drivers are the "face" of the company stewards are the face of the union leadership.
Can you teach everyone? No, but you can reach many if you honestly try.
Our stewards don't escape paying union dues so there's no perks associated with being a steward. They just want to help others and down deep hate bullies. That makes a steward a good one...not just some prostitute out for their own gain.
With stewards like that people vote and get involved.