2010 Workshops for all Kern County/Bakersfield area Shop Stewards. You must RSVP by using the form below, or by calling 661.321.4161. All Shop Stewards should attend all five trainings. Shop Stewards attending all five modules will become Certified Shop Stewards. Scroll down for workshop descriptions. If the one you're looking for is not listed, please ask for the location of your particular training date when making your reservation. Location: SEIU Local 521, 1001 17th Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301, unless indicated in Ridgecrest (Ridgecrest Library, 131 East Las Flores Ave., Ridgecrest, CA 93555).
2 hours - Wednesday trainings begin at 5:30 P.M.; Saturday trainings begin at 10:00 A.M. Refreshments will be served.
The Steward and Discipline is a 4 hour training, so it can only be offered on Saturdays. It starts at 10:00 a.m. and lunch will be provided.
Shop Stewards attending all five modules will become Certified Shop Stewards. MODULE 1 - The Role of the Steward in an Organizing Union 2 1/2 hours This is the overview of Local 521's Organizing Program and the Role of the Steward and why the steward is the most important person for building power in the workplace. The workshop covers the topics: - Why we have to organize - Experienced stewards talking about their experiences organizing on the job MODULE 2 - The Steward as the Voice of the Union 2 1/2 hours In order to organize workers, you have to talk to them. The steward is the voice of the union in the workplace. We will train stewards how to perform basic and important one-on-one organizing functions: - Greeting new workers - Recruiting non-members - Turning workers out to events MODULE 3 - Investigating Workplace Problems 2 1/2 hours When something happens in the workplace that might be a violation of the contract or workers' rights, the first thing the steward has to do is get the answers to basic questions. The workshop will cover: - Listening skills - Using the "Investigation Form" - Using the "Worker-Steward Investigation Agreement" - Contract interpretation MODULE 4 - The Steward and Discipline 4 hours We cover the two basic situations where the steward must represent a worker who faces discipline: - Investigatory meetings held by management that could lead to discipline - The meeting where the worker responds to discipline for the first time MODULE 5 - Meeting with the Boss 2 1/2 hours Local 521's policies make the informal step of any procedure the responsibility of the steward. Stewards want to know about: - Dealing with different kinds of bosses - "The equality principle" - Compromising and settling issues