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ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF UNION OFFICIALS. Union Training – Reno, Nevada October 7, 2003 Bill Dougan President, Forest Service Council. Objectives of Presentation. Briefly discuss Roles and Responsibilities of “Required” Elected Union Positions In Local Lodges
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ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF UNION OFFICIALS Union Training – Reno, Nevada October 7, 2003 Bill Dougan President, Forest Service Council
Objectives of Presentation • Briefly discuss Roles and Responsibilities of “Required” Elected Union Positions In Local Lodges • Primary Focus On Union Steward
Required Elected Union Officials In a Local Lodge (as set forth in IAMAW Constitution) • President • Vice President • Recording Secretary • Secretary-Treasurer • Conductor-Sentinel • Board of Trustees
Role and Responsibility of President • Preside at Local Lodge meetings • Decide all questions or disputes not controlled by laws of IAM and/or NFFE • Appoint committees not otherwise provided for • Appoint educator and communicator • Enforce the laws of IAM and NFFE applicable to the Local Lodge and members • Countersign checks drawn by Sec.-Treasurer
Role and Responsibility of Vice President • Assist President in maintaining order • Preside at all meetings in absence of President • Countersign checks in absence of President subject to approval of Local Lodge • In case of death, removal, or resignation of President, shall become President until after the next regular election
Role and Responsibility of Recording Secretary • Conduct correspondence in name of Local Lodge • Present communications and bills to Local Lodge • Deliver bills for the files of Sec.-Treasurer • Prepare credentials for conventions • Keep minutes of Local Lodge meetings
Role and Responsibility of Secretary-Treasurer • Receive and deposit funds of Local Lodge • Pay bills by check with countersignature by President • Collect dues/fines as appropriate • Keep an account of all disbursements and complete required paperwork/records • Submit financial books to auditing committee semiannually
Role and Responsibility of Conductor-Sentinel • Determine whether those in attendance at Local Lodge meetings are entitled to be there
Role and Responsibility of Board of Trustees (3 members) • Responsible for all Local Lodge property • Ensure financial books are properly kept and assist auditing committee with audits
Union Stewards How Do I Become A Steward? • Stewards may be elected or appointed, in accordance with Local Lodge bylaws
Union Stewards – Major Roles and Responsibilities • Communication • Membership • Representation ALL THREE OF THESE RESPONSIBILITIES ARE OF EQUAL IMPORTANCE
Roles and Responsibilities - Communication • Keep members fully informed on internal union matters • Keep members fully informed on proposed changes to working conditions/conditions of employment • Keep members informed of legislative and political issues • Detect and stop rumors • Urge attendance and participation at Union meetings
Roles and Responsibilities - Membership • Greet new employees and ask them to join – participate in new employee orientations • Ask current non-members to join • Help organize and take part in formal recruitment drives
Roles and Responsibilities – Representation (resolving problems) • Investigate complaints relating to conditions of work, personal problems, internal union problems • Process grievances, ULPs, other appeals • “Police” our collective bargaining agreement (the Master Agreement) for compliance
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Needed by Union Stewards(This job isn’t for everyone!) • First and foremost – INTEREST AND COMMITMENT! • Become familiar with Master Agreement (read it, ask questions, go to training) • Comfortable talking with employees and management • Active listening • Ability to work collaboratively
Union Steward “Do’s and Don’ts” • DO: • Be the eyes and ears of the Local in the workplace • Do what you say you will do – follow through on commitments and meet deadlines • Ask for help when you are in over your head • Be honest and act with integrity
Union Steward “Do’s and Don’ts” • DO: • Seek out training to learn and refresh skills • Remember: you ARE the Union for most employees and managers
Union Steward “Do’s and Don’ts” DON’T: Use your position to gain prestige, power or grind personal axes Be disrespectful – treat all persons with respect and dignity they deserve Fail to represent all BUEs fairly (duty of fair representation)
Reference Documents For Union Stewards and Union Officials • NFFE Steward’s Manual (available through NFFE National Office) • Pocket Guide For Stewards – IAMAW • NFFE Bylaws, FSC Bylaws, Local Bylaws • IAMAW Constitution • “Other” books and reference material