Big Heavy Package Handler
Well-Known Member
Long story short the union steward for my hub is about to get voted out because he is useless and I was thinking about taking his place, but I’m not entirely sure how the process works! Any advice?
Should I Become a Steward?
- Thread starter Big Heavy Package Handler
- Start date
Do you know the contract??
Big Heavy Package Handler
Well-Known Member
Still learning (it’s a lot and the language gets confusing at times). But I definitely know enough to sit in a union meeting with an employee with attendance issues. That’s about all the current one ever does from what I see. He never says a word.
You need to know the language and have a dialogue with management
Big Heavy Package Handler
Well-Known Member
Have a dialogue with management as in?
You got to know them and they got to know who you are
Indecisi0n
Well-Known Member
As in:
You: if I can get every Friday off I won't file grievances
Management: ok
Poop Head
Judge me.
I am driver number xxxxxxx
That's all they need to know
You can be neither too rich or too smart. By all means inquire about becoming a steward. I'm sorry that your current steward has been lazy. Our hub has this issue also. Stewards for the part timers are unmotivated. Which is why a lot of part timers and now the RTW people have no interest in joining the union. They have seen how others have been treated poorly when a problem arose. There are different resources that you can use in addition to the training at the local. KNOWLEDGE is power. Try not to have any favoritism among the workers. Also, don't be cutting deals-trading grievances, etc. Above all - be fair. It takes a lot for some people to have to file a grievance. Eventually you have to as -- the harassment, etc. gets to be too much. It's sad in this day and age we all have to put up with supervisors who harass the hell out of people. A good resource is a national job site. You can read what former and current employees feel about the company. This will give you a good insight on what the problems are in your geographical area. This will familiarize you ahead of time. Learn your National Master and your supplement. You'll soon learn which problems repeat themselves in your hub. Good luck - keep us updated on your journey into the world of stewards.
Delivered
Well-Known Member
If you really want to put the member's first. Study up and go for it
http://www.teamsterslocal804.org/docman/steward-forms/7-2014-ups-stewards-guide/file
http://www.teamsterslocal804.org/docman/steward-forms/7-2014-ups-stewards-guide/file
Indecisi0n
Well-Known Member
Where is the derail charm when you need it?
zubenelgenubi
I'm a star
I'm not sure a motivated, incompetent steward is better than a lazy one, competent or not. Part of the reason I started posting on these forums was to help improve my understanding of the contract, my duties as a steward, and the grievance process. There's a lot to know, and is not a responsibility you should take on without serious consideration.
Reading over and even memorizing the contract is nice, but not very helpful if you don't have some background on what specific articles mean, how they are interpreted, and how they've been enforced. If you gain that understanding, then you have some hope of properly representing your fellow union members and enforcing the contract.
Reading over and even memorizing the contract is nice, but not very helpful if you don't have some background on what specific articles mean, how they are interpreted, and how they've been enforced. If you gain that understanding, then you have some hope of properly representing your fellow union members and enforcing the contract.
SolidWoodPanel
Probably the Greatest American Alive
Our steward doesn't know a G.D. thing. He just nods along with management. A walking handjob.
zubenelgenubi
I'm a star
If you don't know anything as a steward your best bet is to keep your mouth shut, take notes, and when management is done talking, tell them to leave the room so you can confer. That will at least give them the impression that you know something, and they will be less likely to pull a fast one on you.
john chesney
Well-Known Member
If you are doing it to help yourself then no. If you really care about everyone and are willing and able to learn the contract and stand up for people and don’t fear the company then yes. A set of balls is necessary if this sounds like you then go for it
Jackburton
Gone Fish'n
I say it over and over, get the national and supplement installed in your phone as a pdf file under say iBooks.
When you are trying to learn the contract, it can be intimidating, but using your pdf file, you simply search the words.
For example, say you wanted to know about holiday pay, search holiday, more than likely you’ll find it, among other language pertaining to it. Do some of this on your lunch break or something, educate yourself using this technique. You’d be amazed how quickly you’ll learn it.
When you are trying to learn the contract, it can be intimidating, but using your pdf file, you simply search the words.
For example, say you wanted to know about holiday pay, search holiday, more than likely you’ll find it, among other language pertaining to it. Do some of this on your lunch break or something, educate yourself using this technique. You’d be amazed how quickly you’ll learn it.
Big Heavy Package Handler
Well-Known Member
How do I do this? Do you have a link or anything?
badpal
Well-Known Member
Go for it, we cant get any driver to take it at our center. Sups just grab another hourly to watch. Heck ,we will take the guy your voting out.
ski or die
Ski or Die
Management will catch on and bug the room in the future to see what the steward is discussing.
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