Shop Stewards
Communication is KEY!
Keep the members informed. One of the main responsibilities of all CUPE 2745 Shop Stewards is communication with the members. Workplace and Zone Shop Stewards have the opportunity to speak to members every day, at mealtime or at break. Take
advantage of these opportunities to inform members about the latest union activities and to encourage participation. This will reinforce union solidarity. It will be important to set up communication processes (Phone Trees, E-mails etc.) to distribute information, keep members communication processes and distribute information from the Inner Executive, RVP and/or Zone Shop Steward ".
Keep the members informed. One of the main responsibilities of all CUPE 2745 Shop Stewards is communication with the members. Workplace and Zone Shop Stewards have the opportunity to speak to members every day, at mealtime or at break. Take
advantage of these opportunities to inform members about the latest union activities and to encourage participation. This will reinforce union solidarity. It will be important to set up communication processes (Phone Trees, E-mails etc.) to distribute information, keep members communication processes and distribute information from the Inner Executive, RVP and/or Zone Shop Steward ".
Our workplace bulletin board is an important communication tool to keep members informed. We have a negotiated right to have a Bulletin Board in each workplace that our members work and the employer is obligated to provide a bulletin boards for our exclusive use.
See Article 30.02 of our Collective Agreement. |
Tips and Tools
Ask for help
No one expects you to know the answer to everything. If you don't know, don't make it up and don't blow it off call
your Regional Vice President and ask her or him to help you.
your Regional Vice President and ask her or him to help you.
Members called into a meeting with supervisors or management
Tell members, if called into a meeting with management, they should say: "If this discussion could in any way lead to my being disciplined or terminated, I respectfully request that RVP be present at the meeting. Without representation present, I choose not to respond to any questions or statements."
Know the contract
Members expect you to know more about the union than they do. You don't have to memorize the contract cover to cover, but you should familiarize yourself with the parts that are used the most. If a member asks you anything make sure you provide them with the best information possible and do not make up answers. If you do not know find out and get back to them.
Get all the facts and details
If an issue or concern arises, get all the details facts. Who's involved? What exactly happened? When? Where? Why?
Before you pass along the information, make sure you know exactly what's going on. Talk to everyone involved, find potential witnesses be a detective.
Before you pass along the information, make sure you know exactly what's going on. Talk to everyone involved, find potential witnesses be a detective.
Involve the members
Involve as many people as possible. Our power as a union comes from the involvement of the members. Leadership is not about doing everything for everyone; it's about getting everybody to stand up for themselves by standing together.