Stewards' Guide Section 6

LEADER

The steward must take the leadership role in his/her department. He/she must set an example for other workers to follow. The steward must make decisions which uphold the terms of the collective bargaining agreement and the union constitution and bylaws. Listed below are the things the steward should do and know to fulfill the role of leader and suggestions as to how to do them:

The Steward as a Leader

What to Do:

1. Work for the group welfare

2. Fight for what is right

3. Act promptly and decisively

4. Establish friendly relations

5. Hold no grudges

6. Discourage factional bickering

7. Develop teamwork

8. Lead instead of drive

What You Need to Know:

1. Long-range aims of the union

2. The consequences of your actions

3. Actions speak louder than works

4. The other person also has a point

5. You can’t win them all

6. Why people disagree

7. Cooperation means success

8. Adults respond to sound reasoning

How You Go About It:

1. Know the facts, write them down, and talk them over.

2. Keep the people who are being affected informed on the course of action.

3. Give credit where credit is due.

4. Ask for advice and help. You can’t know everything.

5. Keep your word and deal fairly and impartially.

EDUCATOR

The steward has the responsibility of educating the members in his/her department, both the old and new, about the collective bargaining agreement, union policy, and why changes occurred. Listed below are some of the things that the steward should do and know to fulfill the role of educator and suggestions as to how to do them:

The Steward as an Educator

What You Do:

1. Keep members fully informed.

2. Discuss and explain policies.

3. Tell about union counseling.

4. Clarify union objectives.

5. Explain legislative program.

6. Stress registering and voting.

7. Interpret labor legislation.

8. Tell economic "facts of life".

What You Need To Know:

1. Informed members are loyal members

2. What your union is doing

3. Social agencies and programs available in the community

4. Union history

5. How laws are make and their impact on unions

6. Responsibilities of citizenship

7. How labor laws operate

8. How our system functions

How You Go About It:

1. Make person-to-person contact daily – tell your story – ask for ideas.

2. Hold regular department meetings to tell your people what’s going on.

3. Distribute union periodicals and literature – check mailing lists.

4. Enlarge your own knowledge by attending classes whenever available and share this knowledge with your fellow members.

5. Keep your communication lines open – invite criticism, suggestion and full discussion.

COMMUNICATOR

The role of communicator runs throughout every other role of the steward. As a democratic institution, a breakdown in communications can seriously damage a union. Listed below are some of the things that the steward should do and know to fulfill the role of communicator, and suggestions as to how to do them:

The Steward as a Communicator

What You Do:

1. Keep members informed on union policies and activities.

2. Detect and stop rumors.

3. Keep members informed on company proposals and policies.

4. Direct problems through the proper channels .

5. Use several different methods of communicating with the members.

6. Encourage members to contribute to your local newsletter.

7. Urge attendance and participation at union meetings.

What You Need To Know:

1. Union policies and activities and their rationale.

2. Where the rumor started and why.

3. Members should look to you for their information.

4. Who has responsibility over the area in question.

5. Communications methods may differ according to the messages.

6. The newsletter is the voice of the members and the officers.

7. The union meeting is democracy in action.

How You Go About It:

1. Make sure your local has its own newsletter and everyone receives it.

2. Have buttons, hats and T-shirts with the union insignia available to the membership.

3. Talk to members daily about the union, ask questions and listen to the membership.

4. Become an active listener as an important way to build solidarity in your union.

5. Active listening is one of the best methods to build solidarity in your union.

6. Keep the union bulletin board updated. Use catching flyers whenever possible.

ORGANIZER

Organizing the unorganized is the charge of all unionists, whether they be an international officer, or a steward. A major task of the steward is to organize the members in his/her department. Listed below are the things that the steward should do and know to fulfill the role of organizer and suggestions as to how to do them:

What You Do:

1. Organize unorganized – Goal 100%.

2. Greet new employees.

3. Collect dues.

4. Collect check-off authorizations.

5. Urge attendance at meetings.

6. Develop membership participation.

7. Combat anti-union activities.

8. Make daily contacts.

9. Keep a list of non-union members.

What You Need to Know:

1. Real objections of non-members.

2. Who’s who in your department.

3. Dues standing of each member.

4. Reasons for union security.

5. Democratic nature of union.

6. Various committees needs..

7. Who is dissatisfied with the union and why.

8. The union must be visible.

9. Never give up on your goal of 100% organized.

How You Go About It:

1. Respect the sincerity and opinions of every worker.

2. Treat all alike regardless of race, sex, color or political beliefs.

3. Protect the interest of the non-union worker as diligently as you may defend the union member.

4. Recognize that your union is a voluntary association of free men and women. Solid support can only be won through reason, persuasion and effective representation.

5. Keep everlastingly at it.

POLITICAL ACTIVIST

The steward has the responsibility to make the members aware of political affairs that affect 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 if labor-endorsed candidates. Listed below are the things that 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

What to Do:

1. Keep members informed about political events.

2. Register and vote in all elections.

3. Encourage everyone in your department to vote.

4. Write letters to your representatives and encourage others to do so.

5. Work on campaigns of labor endorsed candidates.

6. Promote the political action program of your union.

What to Know:

1. Pending legislation that affects workers.

2. Our nation cannot remain democratic without the participation of the people.

3. Who is not registered, and who needs prodding to exercise their right to vote.

4. Who your representatives are and current issues.

5. Who has been endorsed and why.

6. The political positions your union has taken.

How You Go About It:

1. Read newspapers and union literature, such as the AFL-CIO News, The Legislative Alert, and your International paper, so that you understand the issues from a labor perspective.

2. Attend education programs that discuss 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.