604  943-0228

604  290 7375

604 943-0201

604 946-2399

604 946-5088

 

Ray Johnston

Chief Shop Steward

Gordon Fuller            MAITENANCE

Rob Kerr                        CUSTODIAL

Marilyn Molter    EDUC. ASSIST

604 290-7375

 

Ray Johnston              CUSTODIAL

Diana Mercer    EDUC. ASSIST

Darlene Nowzek   CLERICAL

604 946-4435

604  946-4194

Ian Reade     EDUC. ASSIST

604  594-5491

Danny Quick    CUSTODIAL          

604  946-5088

Mick Tennant    MAINTENANCE                        

CUPE Local 1091. All rights reserved .

2008

Email        mtennant@cupelocal1091.com

604  591-8676

Lucky Sandhu   CUSTODIAL

Email        lsandhu@cupelocal1091.com
Text Box: Text Box: Ten Mistakes A Steward Should Never Make 1.  Miss your deadline. You know what the contract says, but somehow you forget to file the grievance within the specified time. The grievance, in almost every case, becomes history. Two pieces of advice. Keep a calendar diary with dates marked in red so you won't miss deadlines. And if you need more time, ask for an extension from management and get it in writing. 2.  Never get back to the grievant. This usually happens when the steward determines that the member has no grievance. Rather than be the bearer of bad tidings, the steward disappears. This is irresponsible. If the issue is not grievable under the contract, see if it can be resolved in another manner. If not, tell the member that the issue can not be written as a grievance, and give him/her the reasons. 3.  Bad mouth the union. If you have a problem with the way things are done or with your leadership, discuss the issue (s) in a rational manner. Get off the soapbox and see if the difference can be resolved. There's plenty of room for discussion and disagreement. But when it spills out on the shop floor or at a meeting when management is present, such disagreements can permanently weaken the union. A house divided against itself will fail. 4.  Drop the routine fly ball. You are the steward with responsibilities outlined by the constitution and by-laws. You should not make basic mistakes. Grievances should be written correctly. Information should be shared. You should know your rights. If you are unsure or don't know the answer, ask. 5.  Sit down and shut up at meetings with management. In your role as a steward you are the union advocate. This role is an active one. You are the equal of management. You may ask questions, ask for and get records to process grievances, and even raise your voice at meetings when necessary. 6.  Lose control. A major no no. You or a member may be baited at a grievance meeting so that you will get angry. A steward who argues out of anger and not facts will lose the grievance. Period. 7.  Write long grievances. Grievances should be short and sweet. Management is being paid big salaries to supervise. Don't do the work for them. Your grievances should identify the grievant, outline the problem in a sentence or two, state what article of the contract is being violated, and what remedy you want to make the grievant whole. Save the arguments for the meeting. A good poker player never tips his/her hand. 8.  Meet the grievant for the first time at the grievance hearing. If this is the first time you've met the member, you are inviting trouble. Big time. You should talk to the grievant face to face when you investigate the grievance and write it. You should also talk to the grievant prior to the hearing to familiarize him/her with the process. When they walk into the room, they should feel as comfortable as possible. They should know that yes, no, and I don't know are acceptable answers at a hearing. Describe the room to them, who will be there, and what they will be asked. 9.  Wait for the member to come to you with the problem. If you do this, you will never gain the respect of the membership you represent or the management you must deal with. Problems can often be resolved before they explode into grievances. And members may not be as aware of contract violations and grievable issues as you are. 10. Forget to take a breather. This is intense work. Stewards work a full-time job and then take on their union responsibilities. This kind of existence is rewarding but is fraught with burn out. Take time for yourself and your family.

Remember :

It is your right to pick the Shop Steward  of your choice, if you so desire.

CANADIAN UNION of PUBLIC EMPLOYEE

SHOP STEWARDS

ards
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