WHAT THE STEWARD SHOULD KNOW

Know your collective agreement

Read every word of your collective agreement and consult it regularly.

Become familiar with all the provisions included in the collective agreement. Consider they should be applied in your workplace.

Discuss them with members of your local executive and other stewards.

Discuss them during union meetings.

Know your workplace

Stewards must know their workplace and, as much as possible, know every worker's responsibilities.

Make sure you know all the members of your group.

Learn all the salary scales.

If the workers benefit from a productivity bonus system, be familiar with it.

Make sure you have a seniority list in your files.

Know your members

Everybody is different. In the case of a grievance, for instance, some will readily give you all the relevant information while others will not. Some will have a complete file, others won't. Some will have personal problems. You will be in a position to help your members more effectively if you know them well.