What is a steward? Stewards are the representatives of the union on each shift in every department. Stewards make sure the contract is enforced, keep workers informed of union activities and assist their coworkers who have problems at work. This will nominate as a Steward for PRINT NAME OF NOMINATED STEWARD DEPARTMENT/SHIFT Signature of Nominee: Supervisor s Name: Home Address: Cell Phone: Email: Signatures of Support Name Signature DN:glb opeiu 29 afl-cio SEIU 521 CTW/CLC 2014 (Salinas/Admin/Stewards/2014 Steward Nomination Form) 100914
521 STEWARD POLICY Section 1: The Role of the SEIU Local 521 Steward The SEIU Local 521 steward plays a critical leadership role in the union. Each steward is expected to provide fair representation. The steward s role is multi-faceted. Stewards bring to the job a different set of skills, abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. There are four basic roles stewards are expected to perform with the support from union staff, they are: Problem Solver Stewards are problems solvers handle grievances, through active listening, and answering questions, mediating, organizing worksite actions, or just offering support or consultation with members, including but not limited to labor management meetings, meet and confers and informal meetings with management. Enforces the contract. Educator/Communicator Stewards help members make sense of contract and workers rights, deliver messages between union members and union leaders, distribute flyers, maintain bulletin boards, and conduct worksite meetings on a regular basis. Worksite Leader Stewards take the lead, advocating for membership and public services with management, and making things happen. Organizer Stewards organize the workplace to deal with problems as a united group. Builds capacity to move workers to action at the worksite and within the Union. Stewards are expected to be involved on a consistent basis with the program of the union, by attending Regional Steward Council meetings, worksite steward council meetings and/or membership meetings. Stewards inability to consistently be involved or adhere to the duties/roles of a steward can result in removal of Steward status. All stewards shall be educated and trained in the successful handling of grievances. A steward shall be capable, and willing to handle the initial grievance steps, with support from staff, when needed. As a steward you will hold a position of leadership and stature that carries great responsibility and respect amongst members and management. As a steward you are held to a higher standard by leading by example. Section 2: Purpose To provide the criteria for recruitment, selection, election and retention of Stewards. Section 3: Steward Empowerment Local 521 will provide tools and support to stewards in the performance of their duties. Local 521 will vigorously defend the rights of stewards to perform their duties free of intimidation or reprisal. Through contract language and other agreement, Local 521 will pursue policies, such as, but not limited to, expanded release time, to aid stewards in carrying out their duties with greater effectiveness and security.
Section 4: Becoming an SEIU Local 521 Steward A member becomes a steward through a democratic process outlined in respective Chapter Bylaws where elections are required. Where Bylaws or units do not require an election, a member becomes a steward through a democratic process in which co-worker support is demonstrated by nomination and/or petitions and shall be in accordance with the Chapter Bylaws and/or SEIU Local 521. Where there are conflicts or issues these shall be addressed by the Executive Board. Note: Recognizing that some Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) limit the number of stewards permitted to handle grievances, any member who wishes to become a steward, upon successful completion of the training program, will be certified by SEIU Local 521 as a new steward and added to the steward s roster as an alternate. Until training is completed, the prospective stewards will be considered a steward-in-training. Section 5: Recalling an SEIU Local 521 Steward When a steward is to be removed, members must adhere to the process referenced in their Chapter Bylaws and/or SEIU Local 521, so that all parties have the right to be heard. Section 6: Steward Training Local 521 will provide comprehensive, accessible ongoing training for Local 521 stewards. The training will include both classroom and on-the-job components. Completion of steward training is a requirement for becoming a Local 521 steward, and continuing steward education is a requirement for maintaining steward status, which is a component of Steward Council meetings. Stewards are required to attend at least two (2) steward council meetings per year for continuing education. Stewards must agree to accept feedback for developmental purposes. Section 7: Steward Recognition Steward Pins Section 8: Mutual Respect Stewards shall conduct themselves with mutual respect towards members, fellow stewards and staff, in accordance with SEIU 521 policies adopted by the Executive board in 2013. Stewards are held to a higher standard as official representatives of SEIU 521 and shall not use their position for personal interest, gain or to harm a fellow member. Section 9: Confidentiality As a steward you are in a position of confidence where members look to you for assistance in a time of need. You cannot share or discuss the information obtained by members with others without authorization of the member. Information is sensitive and should not be discussed in casual conversations with others without compromising our member s interest.
SEIU Local 521 Mission Statement The Mission of SEIU Local 521 is to provide our members with a voice in the workplace, in their Union and in the larger community. Through our actions, we intend to create a more just and humane society. We are committed to protecting and improving the lives of workers and their families. We will work to improve and protect the services we provide to our communities. We believe that by working together as a united front, we can win better contracts and build industry power in our region. In so doing, we affirm that our members shall be treated and accepted equally with dignity and respect. All members will be welcomed into our Union, encouraged to participate and shall not be discriminated against regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, age, physical ability, gender, gender expression and sexual orientation, marital status, creed, color, ancestry, disability, immigration status, or national origin. All SEIU 521 members shall share equal responsibilities and rights both within the Union Local and on the job, at a minimum as stated in our International Bylaws. We pledge to demonstrate our respect equally to our staff as we do to our members so that all may thrive in an atmosphere of solidarity and brother/sisterhood. We concur with the SEIU International vision of a Just society: Where all workers have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect them. Where workers have the opportunity to develop their talents and skills Where the collective voice and power of workers is realized in a democratic and progressive union. Where union solidarity stands firm against the forces of discrimination and hate and the unfair employment practices of exploitative employers. Where government plays an active role in improving the lives of working people. In fulfilling this vision, we acknowledge our responsibility to strengthen all of our Chapters. We affirm that every member has a voice. We will not be content until all of our members have achieved dignity, respect and self-worth in our workplaces and in society. In SEIU, leadership is the ability to inspire, develop, collaborate with and align others to take action, and successfully achieve our common goals. We will hold ourselves to the following standards that are embedded into our Constitution at our 25 th International Convention. SEIU Leadership Standards Shared unity of purpose; Openness to questions and willingness to learn; Acting with the courage of our convictions; Working together with accountability; and Commitment to inclusion. We will measure our progress and success not only by how many campaign battles we ve won or lost, but also by the leaders that have been developed and emerge to carry the struggle forward.
Steward Policy Acknowledgement & Acceptance Request Form I, hereby acknowledge that I (Print Name) have read and will adhere to the Policies Concerning Stewards and intend to become a Steward with SEIU Local 521. Signature: Date: Internal Organizer: Please return to the SEIU Local 521 Office by November 24, 2014 using the enclosed return envelope. You can also personally deliver these documents to your Internal Organizer or at our office in Santa Cruz or Salinas. DN:glb opeiu 29 afl-cio SEIU 521 CTW/CLC 2014 (Salinas/Admin/Stewards/Steward Policy and Acknowledgement Form)