First of all its not the steward's job to impose job actions, slowdowns, walk outs, call-ins or strikes.
The steward's job is to be the eyes and ears of the Business Agent.
The steward does not enforce the contract, the BA does.
The steward is there as a representative of the union and a represntative of the member(s) to make sure the member(s) is treated within the guidlines of the law and contract.
Many locals appoint stewards becuase they are working together with the BA to run a tight ship or contol a tough situation.
Doesn't the President appoint his cabinet?
Some local's by-laws will allow for an election if certain things apply.
Retirement of steward, lack of faith from members, illegal doings, even change in Business agents can cuaes the change of stewards.
Overnite's/USPF situation is a slightly different stuation.
Here you have a entirely new company coming on board and for the most part the members and Business Agents don't know each other. Stewards may be chosen based on what the local leadership sees in a person during the organization drive or may see fit to let the members elect one of thier own choice.
Also remember more than one steward will be neede at each barn.
Take for instance a barn witha large operation.
Stewards will be needed for the road operation, dock operation, city operation, and mecahnaics.
In this case a chief steward is assinged by the local and a member that works in each classsifaction is appointed or elected.
Being steward is a 24/7 job.
Be ready for your phone to be ringing at phone when you off, during vacation, on a sick day, whenever there is a problem and your not around.
Be ready to dedeicate you time to the local and the members. It a thankless job, holds no extra benifits and takes a certain type of person to be able to take on the added work load.
Stewards do the job side by side with the members and in most cases don't get any extra out of it. Be ready to be diplomatic.
STEWARDS DO NOT CALL STRIKES
STEWARDS DO NOT TELL THE COMPANY HOW TO RUN IT'S BUSINEES
STEWARDS DO NOT HAVE SUPER SENIORITY
STEWARDS CAN BE ELECTED
STEWARDS CAN BE APPOINTED
STEWARDS CAN BE FIRED
STEWARDS CAN BE REMOVED BY THE LOCAL OR THE MEMBERSHIP
Suggestion, follow the advice of the local first in deciding who the steward will be then correct it if it needs correcting in the future
Also no steward out there will make 100% of the members happay all at once. If he or she does then I want to meet that person becuase he or she willl be the first.
T251
GREAT POST YOU ROCK T251