KNOW THE CONTRACT
The contract is the steward’s number one source book. Many questions that come to the steward – either from bargaining unit employees or from supervisors – involve the contract; what it means, how it’s interpreted or how it should be applied.
While the steward must know many things, knowing the contract is at the top of the list. Please consider the following guidelines:
- Try to keep a copy of the contract with you at all times and use it as a reference. Know where to look for various topics like seniority, posting, vacation eligibility, grievance procedure, etc.
- Be familiar with side letters or letters of understanding that may not be printed in the contract book, but are filed away somewhere.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions of local union officers or chief stewards on how a clause is interpreted.
- Pull together a meeting of the stewards from time to time to discuss contract clauses, what they mean and how they’ve been applied in the past. Plan an agenda ahead of time so the meeting stays on track.
- Read over the grievance procedure itself on a regular basis to refresh your memory. Be familiar with and adhere to time limits for filing and processing grievances and do not hesitate to refer to the contract frequently as you use it over time.
- Read over seniority rules from time to time, even when there is no grievance pending. Seniority is at the core of many grievances.
- Have a copy of (or access to) the employer discipline policy or rules since they are not usually included in the contract book itself. Be familiar with these rules.
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