So you've taken the plunge, and applied to become a Union Steward! Unless you have served in this capacity before, either with YUSA or with another Union, you may not be too sure of what's involved. This handbook will help explain what a YUSA Steward does.
Stewards are the main contact between the Union and its members. There is two-way communication: from the members to the Union Committees, and from the Committees to the membership. The Stewards are the channels through which information flows. Besides being contact persons, Stewards are YUSA's rank-and-file "problem solvers".
As a YUSA Steward you will be involved in many activities essential to the successful functioning of our Union. You will sign up new members, provide answers to queries, listen to members who have problems, attend discipline or discharge meetings, handle complaints and grievances, possibly attend arbitration hearings and help out with mailings, meetings, and in many other ways.
It may sound like a lot of work, but remember, it's divided amongst all of us, and you won't be doing all these things all the time.
Read through the following pages to get an overview. Wherever this handbook quotes or refers to Contract Articles, check the Contract itself. The Contract changes over time. This handbook was written for the 1989-91 Contract, and may be out of date. Make notes about points that are unclear or require further explanation and bring any questions you have to the next monthly meeting or to another Steward. Don't worry and don't try to absorb everything at once.