Stewards

[gottaflynow]

Alan, first of all thank you for taking the time to answer questions. I will look forward to hearing more from you at the National Convention.

I would like to know your views on the steward system. We all know that there has been an increase in grievance activity. Do you feel that the training a local or area steward is getting is adequate for the increased work loads at the local level? How do you view the training that all stewards are getting at the present time?

[Just Alan]

Gotta, I have not been a steward for a long time, and when I was I thought the training was laughable. I spoke with my state stew yesterday and asked him if the training has improved in the 10 plus years he has been in the system, and he tells me it is 1000% better and continues to improve, especially since Stutts has been director of steward operations. Having said that, no training will ever be good enough and it must continue to improve, especially going forward, as I think the days of us getting along with the PO are a thing of the past.
alan

[Just Alan]

Gotta,
Hard to answer, as I am not a steward, so don't have access to the training, but have been assured by my current state stew it is much improved. Having said that, it can never be good enough nor can never not be in need of improvement. I worry less about an increase in the volume of G's, I worry more about improving our results when we have to file.
alan

[Robert]

Any grievance is only as good as the documentation provided.  It is the duty of the local/area/state steward to collect any and all corroborating evidence, but where does one get that evidence? From the source, the grievant, and sometimes it just isn't there, and even the best of stewards can't win grievances without proper documentation. Each state is different, and each training steward has differing abilities to relay even the most basic information. I know when I got into the trade, it was a matter of being thrown to the wolves and fending as best you can. OJT is certainly one method of learning, but it does not afford the grievant the best representation possible. The Crisco Kid is right, steward training is better than it once was, but there is always room for improvement.

[union13]

In Georgia when Robert Horne just left the state steward position without any advance notice I took over as state steward. I was left with 1 assistant state steward for close to 4,000 routes. I started training the new people who came on board immediatly. We held training once a month for state level stewards and I opened it up for any local steward to attend. The word spread quickly in the state and we had to get bigger and bigger rooms to hold this monthly training. The training was not mandatory so those who chose to attend showed they were interested in being a state level steward by making the effort. I assigned all state level stewards to have a power point presentation for each class and there was always plenty to learn. The local stewards are very, very eager to learn as with the meager training provided by national or at the certifcation training given to them it is almost embarassing to expect any type of good representation. Monies must be provided from national to support this training after all that is what I pay my dues money for, REPRESENTATION!!!

[rts]

I was one of the Local Stewards who took time out of my day and LWOP to attend these trainings.  I did not come for pay, only for training to help me to be a better steward for my office.  This was some of the BEST training that we had ever had.  We talked about and learned things that we really needed to know, and were facing daily.  We no longer have this training, why?  I, like every other member, pay my union dues for representation and that is what I want.  I do not want to be sorta-kinda represented, nor do I want to provide that to another carrier.  We as an association, union, whatever you call it must stand up to our State & National Officers and demand that they get finances under control and spend our money where the membership wants and needs it spend, on Union Representation. Or use your votes wisely and replace the ones who are wasting our money.

[daboysdada]

How are you going to know which National board members to replace? Their voting records are SECRET even from US!

[James Partin]

I have been a Local Steward since Oct. 2004, and have attended all offered training in my area. The training has improved over the years, but I think it is just a beginning point. To be an effective steward,you have to seek more info, ask questions and learn from your mistakes. Both current and former State Stewards in Colorado were and are available with info, guidance and the occasional required reality check. Local Stewards are the faces of our union, we need all the training and support this union can throw our way. The NRLCA is only as strong as the local steward.