Stewards Guide

 

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 of 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 ho 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
 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.

 

In Your Role As An Organizer, Be Sure To  
MEET THE NEW HIRE ON THE FIRST DAY

What do you think the new hire wants and needs to know the first day on the job?

Do you remember your "FIRST DAY" on the job?

Put yourself in the new hire's shoes! That plant or office, department, job, and everything about it is going to be NEW-STRANGE- and just a little bit UNREAL. Remember? The new hire is going to want to know, and will be thinking about many things. If you were the new hire, would you be thinking:

  1. Should I really be here?

  2. What's expected of me on the job?

  3. How much "break-in" will I have before I'm on my own?

  4. Can I make the production rate? Can I do the job?

  5. How will the other workers accept me?

  6. Where did they say the rest rooms and vending areas are?

  7. What if I run out of stock or the job breaks down?

  8. What should I remember about what the Boss told me? The Union rep?

  9. By the way, I wonder what a union rep really looks like. After all, I don't know much about leaders.

That first day is so rough that most people remember it for the rest of their lives! The first day is when the new hire needs a friendly "welcome". Remember?

IDEAS FOR GREETING THE NEW HIRE

Many contracts have specific provisions for the Management to introduce the "new hire" to the Steward. However, if your contract is silent on this question, you can arrange to meet them before work, during lunch period, or after work. Here's how you do it...

GET THERE EARLY
Let them know that you would like to talk to them the next day, before they start to work-maybe have them come in a bit early. Use that time to get the union's message across to them.

BEFORE THE SHIFT BEGINS
There are always groups of workers who take advantage of this time to have a cup of coffee, "pass the time" with friends, or have a quick game of cards. Have a group of union members meet and greet the new hire!
AT LUNCH TIME
Maybe both you and the NEW HIRES arrive at work too late to permit you to talk to them about the union. How about lunch time? If you brown bag it, why not take your lunch over to where the NEW HIRES are and talk to them during lunch? Or ask the NEW HIRES to join you in the cafeteria.

CONTACT DIFFERENT GROUPS
Since there may be groups of NEW HIRES throughout your department or district, why not make it a point to use your lunch periods to talk to as many of them as you can? This has been a long standing, time honored way for Stewards to keep members informed on issues acquainting them with their rights and duties and the union's accomplishment.

GIVE THE "NEW HIRE" A PACKET OF UNION MATERIALS

Your local union should prepare a special kit to give new hires that explain the union, its goals and achievements. The new hire should clearly understand that the wages, benefits, and working conditions were negotiated by the union.

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