The controversy over the CAC's has been pretty intense. One piece of the conversation that I haven't heard any discussions about is questioning the assumption that stewards will convert to work site leaders. No one would love to see that vision blossom more than me. I think it would be a great outcome, and God knows stewarding burns out some of our best member activists almost as much as contract campaigns. But are we making too many assumptions here? Our stewards fill a specific role that they find rewarding for a variety of reasons. Whatever role they migrate to, it's going to be quite different from what they are accustomed to. I have a hunch there may be a significant number of drop outs, which would be a real shame. When we lose a stewards eyes, ears and concern for their fellow members in a work site, we are really blinded, deaf and unconcerned. I would humbly suggest that significant attention be directed toward this transition. If a steward is left feeling that her work is over or the new task ill-defined or not in keeping with her interests, we're going to lose her. Unless we conduct an effective campaign to retain stewards and help them transition into a new role that they are motivated toward fulfilling, I am concerned that the resulting attrition might weaken us significantly.
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Re: What can we do to help make this work?
mistake. An option to cancel would be useful!
Re: What can we do to help make this work?
Was the original post a mistake, or the reply?
If you meant the original post, you should already be able to delete that. Select the Edit tab at the top of the post. From there you have a delete button.
If you mean the reply, that's different. There currently is no delete option.
We're working on numerous things for the site, so will be glad to add this to our list to look at. There's also a Suggestions forum fwhere you can post any additional ideas you may have for the site.
Thanks.
Scott
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"An intractable problem can only be resolved by stepping beyond conventional solutions." — Ozymandias
Re: What can we do to help make this work?
Yes, the CACs have certainly been controversial. I'm not sure that I've been hearing the same things you have on this issue though. Are you referring to the fact that we're leaning on anyone currently active, usually in some sort of leadership role currently, to try and jump-start the CACs? If so, I haven't seen anyone targeting Stewards specifically. They seem to be approaching Stewards and the Sublocal officers as well. This behavior seems to be normal as we have definite isues with finding and developing other people to take on these sorts of roles.
You seem to be saying that we're trying to change the role of Stewards to be something different than they currently are. I'm not sure how we can do that. Our bylaws clearly state that the Steward's:
I suppose someone could try and slide in major changes under Article XI, Section 3 where it says, in part:
In that case, we will certainly see the issues you raised. Stewards fill a particular niche. As I see it, that niche is workplace-related. The main focus of CAC activity is completely outside of the workplace. Just because I do one doesn't mean I'm interested in the other.
If our leadership is making such an assumption, then it certainly needs to be discussed in more detail. It could even lead to legal liability for the Union if true. Imagine a mass exodus of Stewards who don't want to be in a new role they are given. Now imagine that, without the Stewards, we can't meet our obligations to represent the members.
Scott
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"An intractable problem can only be resolved by stepping beyond conventional solutions." — Ozymandias