Make Your Local Stronger...Follow These 10 Steps

• Put principles before personalities. It all begins when you decide to do something to improve your life by joining together to get things done. Don’t let personal bugaboos get in the way. Respect each other’s rights. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes. Then stick together. There’s nothing management likes more than a workforce that can be easily divided and manipulated.

• Know your union contract. Management can’t take advantage of people who know their rights, only of people who are ignorant of those rights.

• Elect a steward/chairperson you trust. Choosing a person with the biggest mouth who’s least scared of the boss certainly helps. But choose someone who is also cool-headed enough to work things out diplomatically.

• Share the load. Your steward/chairperson works both with you and for you. But he or she can’t do it alone. Let your steward know what you think and how you can help out. Volunteer for stuff you know you can handle. Over committing is a recipe for letting yourself down as well as others. Is a task too much for you? Split it with a buddy.

• Keep on top of the situation. Build a solid structure by defining what your steward is and isn’t responsible for. Encourage other departments to get involved, make sure each is represented, and know who those reps are. Establish who is accountable to it and hold them to it.

• Know when to speak up. You know what’s best for yourself, so tell it like it is. Be sure to include everyone with different points of view. You never know who’s been through what you’re going through. and solutions can often come from the least expected sources. Got a language problem in your shop? Ask you steward to provide a translator.

• Don’t spread rumors. They often divide people and can weaken the union you are building.

• Never cry wolf. Know the difference between grievance and a gripe. If someone or something is bugging you, work it out with that person, or your steward, or a trusted third party. Don’t call in the troops for the small stuff. It wastes energy and can weaken your credibility for the big stuff.

• Meet at lunch time. Most people are too busy to come back for a meeting after work. Lunch meetings include everyone and area relaxed way to keep everyone updated. Hold those meetings regularly--set a realistic schedule and stick to it. Take turns taking minutes.

• You’re not at work for just one day. You can’t always get what you want when you want it. One small victory can lead to another and another. Over time, you’ll see real gains made. Show your appreciation and say thanks to those who are helping to make your local stronger and workplace better.

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