Recently I received a petition of the majority of letter carriers in a pafiicular station to call for a new election for that station's shop steward. The petition was proper and a new election was called for. Shop Stewards can avoid being removed from office by doing the right thing even when you do not like the carrier you represent Remember, when it comes to working relationships, everything begins with respect and the desire to place value on other people.

Consider These Benefits to Listening:
1.) Listening shows respect.
2.) Listening builds relationships.
3.) Listening increases knowledge.
4.) Listening generates ideas.
5.) Listening builds loyalty.
6.) Listening is a great way to help others and yourself.

Taken fiom John C. Maxwell, "Relationships 101"

Speaking of shop stewards, the recent shop stewards elections were completed. There are 110 positions for shop steward and over 170 carriers ran for those positions. Many carriers called asking questions about the elections and also expressing concern. Also, many carriers expressed enthusiasm about the future of their stations, indicating and becoming more involved with the union. The shop stewards election produced thirtyone new stewards. I believe the carriers spoke when twenty of the thirty-one stewards that lost their tenures of five years or more, but basically just held the position with no significance.

An important shop steward function is preventing management from intimidating carriers, especially when management attempts to have closed-door meetings with the carriers to induce the carriers to admit to wrongdoing, or to get a carrier to confess to any mistakes by writing a statement without a shop steward present.

Every carricr who feels some form of discipline from management must reduest for a shop steward, and if management denies the request. enforce your Wcingarten Rights. Weingarten Rights means that the carrier is requesting union representation during investigatory interviews that may lead to discipline.

Incredibly, one shop steward called me requesting a membership roster listing of which members are in good standing and which members are not. He admitted that he would not attend the seminar. This admission came from an individual who never attends any meetings and whose knowledge of the grievance procedure is questionable!

It is imperative for shop stewards to attend meetings and keep the members informed. In that way you'll know what management is involved with that needs adjustment.

Take into consideration that a shop steward has a lot of responsibilities. For example, a shop steward must be willing to attend meetings, so that he/she can forward information to the carriers.

In addition, a shop steward must make every effort to attend seminars in order to educate himself/herself on the subjects of the contract, J-Cam, LMOU and grievance procedures, etc.

The carrier who runs for the position of shop steward must believe in the union and the union's causes and also be willing to, and capable of, standing up to management when hislher brothers' and sisters' rights are being violated (relating to contract issues) and they are being harassed.

MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT!

Let me give a background of myself. I have been a letter carrier for 17 years. I started my career at F.D.R. Station and after subbing for 3 1/2 years, I went to O.G.R. as a regular. In 1995 I was elected shop steward. In 2001 I became the designated Hearing Officer and On The Job Instructor.