Unite union shop steward handbook

Aims of the trade union to organize workers and unite them into a strong and democratic trade union. If you identify problems or issues that need attention, let your union business representative know whats developing. Many of these s handbooks and manuals are on the research and education departments basic shop steward training cd. Shop stewards union locals have shop stewards who voluntarily serve their coworkers by informing them of their rights and responsibilities under the collective agreement. The union needs you to represent our members and to protect the rights we have won in.

This requires familiarity with both union parliamentary requirements and roberts rules of order, the standard for parliamentary procedure. Just as the supervisor is the company to the average worker, so the steward is the union to the average member. Representatives from company management and ownership. Community, youth workers and not for profit sector many thanks to the unite le1111 housing workers branch for their assistance with producing this handbook. A handbook for stewards, workplace representatives and active members. Local 2 members work at many job sites including hotels, restaurants, food services, laundries and san francisco international airport. But also look for opportunities to unite all members around workplace issues. Shop stewards and local union officers are vested with the responsibility of enforcing the contract for everyone in the bargaining unit. Some tips for steward training which builds ongoing member activism. The stewards job is to make sure your company lives up to your contract. Whether you are a new steward or have been doing this work for many years, your role is to watch and listen to what is happening in your workplace. Problemsolver stewards should be prepared with various strategies for solving problems.

The legal rights of union stewards united food and. When there is a problem with management and you need union help, your first stop should be a visit with your shop steward. Senior steward or convenor is a union representative with a lot of experience of dealing with workplace issues and will represent the workforce at meetings with management to negotiate pay or changes in working conditions. Stewards unite the members together as a whole through their commitment to. Neither this, nor any other book, will provide you with all the answers or all the information that you will need. To most of the workers on your job site, you are the union.

Workers who join because they have to, without understanding the principles of unionism, are not likely to make good union members. The role of the shop steward 7 the union steward is a key link in our union. The best steward in the world cant carry the union alone. As such, the steward has a strong influence on their fellow members image of the local union, the international union, and the labor movement in general. You are also given an employee handbook when you begin working for the employer. In turn, as unite shop stewards reps, you agree to inform the employer of the names of shop stewards or other reps in writing. Any seiu 521 member can attend these free workshops. It is the stewards job to explain to members what afge is, what we stand for, how we operate, our goals, programs, and successes. Trade union members are more likely to stay in their jobs longer on average five years longer than nonmembers. This handbook is intended for both newly elected stewards and workplace contacts and. The steward builds unity among the membership by enforcing the contract, educating the membership, and promoting union activism. With the help of our dedicated members, leaders and stewards, seiu local 521 will continue to direct the power of our union back into the workplace where it belongs. A shop steward also organizes the meetings of the local collective bargaining unit. We accompany other workers at disciplinary and represent union issues as equals with management.

Designed and produced by unison communications unit. Ask each group to select a reporter and explain that theyll have 20 minutes to complete the quiz. But, in choosing a steward, it is highly desirable to choose one who has shown more than casual interest in the union and has been a member long enough to have obtained a. Every good standing member is eligible to serve as a shop steward.

Rankandfile members of the union hold this position voluntarily through democratic election by fellow workers or sometimes by appointment of a higher union body while maintaining their. We are the service employees international union, an organization of 2million members united by the belief in the dignity and worth of workers and the services they provide and dedicated to improving the lives of workers and their families and creating a more just and humane society. Introduction page 5 about your union page 12 engaging and empowering members. In fact often, when cupe members think of their local union, they think of you and the work you do on our behalf. A shop steward is a person elected as a union representative in the workplace. You are in the best position to understand your co workers. The local office will provide you with a list of nonmembers at your worksite. Shop steward electionnotification policy volunteers, with approval of the union representatives for that bargaining unit, may fill shop steward positions. He is required to prepare the meeting agenda and conduct the meeting accordingly.

Each workplace should have a committee of elected shop stewards representatives. We include room cleaners, cooks, bartenders, bellmen, food and beverage servers, bussers. Make sure to get to know your shop stewards and your union representative. Senior or lead steward, lead convener, or staff side representative. Key to building our union l unite and inspire your coworkers to work together. A shop steward generally is a rankandfile employee whos been elected by the members for onsite representation.

The afscme steward, more than any other union leader or activist, has the. The steward is one of the most important persons in the iam. Stewards are a vital link between the union and its members. A union representative, union steward, or shop steward is an employee of an organization or company who represents and defends the interests of herhis fellow employees as a labor union member and official. Stewards and workplace representatives are an essential part of the unions organisation. For 28 years, the usws tony mazzocchi center has received nuclear worker training program grants from the national institute of. This handbook sets out ways in which you can help build an organising union. Unite rule book effective from rules conference 2011. The afge steward is a key position in the union with many roles. Rights to paid time off for union reps, shop stewards, health and safety or learning.

But, in choosing a steward, it is highly desirable to choose one who has shown more than casual interest in the union and has been a member long enough to. These individuals make working and bargaining collective with our employers click. Topics covered include organisation and recruitment, dealing with members problems, working with the employer, health and safety, and stewards rights, as well as providing general information about unison. Union equality representatives handbook unite the union.

The steward is to the union what the supervisor is to a company. Shop stewards listen to employee complaints and present employee grievances to the management team or the designated labor relations staff member. At the last trainings members learned about right to work laws, strategized a plan to invite coworkers to join the union and discussed their hopes and dreams for their jobs and family lives. In accordance with article vi, section 1 of the constitution of the international union, you are hereby notified that the constitutional convention of the united steelworkers will be held from august 36, 2020. If you need to use such handbooks and manuals, you should make a. Unite the union, commonly known as unite, is a british and irish trade union, formed on 1 may 2007, by the merger of amicus and the transport and general workers union. In addition to being union members, some of us choose to take a more active role, as stewards, in our workplaces. To challenge the power of employers through collective action. Basic shopstewards training manual wwmp 20 cape town 021 4472727 fax.

Labor contract between the service employees international union, local 767, and windemere nursing. As a worker, whether you are in a union or not, there is much here that can equip you to face the many challenges of todays more precarious employment. The union has the authority to negotiate and administer the contract. Most of the handbooks and manuals referenced in this guide should be available to a steward in the post office. The contents of this afscme steward handbook have been devel oped to help. Though the workers join the union automatically or are required to pay equivalent fees in a union shop, the steward should still speak to them, tell them what the union is all about, and welcome them into the ranks. This stewards handbook is designed to help you to be as effective as possible in your job as a union steward. The rights of trade union reps trade union reps are entitled to paid time off to get training and do their work as reps as shop stewards, health and safety or union learning reps or other trade.

Have current copies of the policies and procedures and any handbooks. The trade union has fought to protect and further the interests of workers all over the world. The general secretary of unite is len mccluskey on 2 july 2008, unite signed an agreement to merge with the united steelworkers to form a new. Until you are able to attend the cwa stewards training program, this short handbook will provide you with some basic advice, information and practice questions. Steward trainings may happen as large, localwide events and as smaller sessions organized by geography or worksites. The steward carries out nalc policies and builds support for nalcs national goals. Work, voice, pay is about raising confidence and making sure that those employers that can pay do pay. The support is strongest when every worker in the facility is a union member and knows why. Unite here local 2 is a union of over 14,000 workers in the hospitality industries of san francisco and san mateo. Union fulltime officer can be elected or appointed according to the union rule book. Union stewards step up, either by election or appointment, to enforce our contract and to make sure our coworkers know their rights.

All union members have a right to have their steward present with them during meetings that they feel might be disciplinary. Shop stewards are sometimes referred to as a section secretary. A local is the basic unit of organization within a union, and it is the group you will be working most closely with as a local shop steward. Shop stewards are an important part of how any union functions. The union steward digital handbook is designed to help new union stewards, but anyone can learn from it. As a union steward, you have the opportunity to help make life on the job better for yourself and your coworkers. Liuna steward is a legal representative of the union. Shop steward handbook ufcw 1518 member resource centre. Collective bargaining agreement sample steward clause. Your role as a union equality representative is to. Duties and responsibilities of the shop steward the shop steward has a very important job within the local union structure to help strengthen the union by providing leadership at the worksite. Unison aims to have at least one steward in each workplace and department. Legal rights of union stewards quiz40 mins distribute the legal rights of union stewards quiz worksheet and ask the participants to work in small groups, reading and answering the questions together.

Steward training outlines union power steward training outlines roles. Forward one of the most satisfying tasks one can perform in life is represent our members at the job site in the capacity of steward. Their role is to be the first contact when an employee is faced with a workrelated concern or issue. They are an important aspect of your membership with the local.

Supreme court upheld the rights of employees to have union representation during investigatory interviews. They help resolve problems, handle grievances and educate their fellow workers in the policies and activities of the union. Resources for stewards canadian union of public employees. Most union members do not personally know the general president of the international union. Trade union, unions uk, workers union unite the union. If there are more volunteers for a position, or if requested by a member, an election shall be held for newly vacated steward positions or positions open in newly created bargaining units. Some of you have an agency shop, either by statute or language in your con tract. Stewards are the ones who listen to members to find out what they feel and want, and then carry this information back to the unions leadership for action. This document is a packet of policies that supplement the contract. Ask more experienced stewards what they would like to learn discuss. Unite here local 100 held its first leadership organizing training in new york and new jersey on august 19 th.