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Stewards Constant monitoring keeps contractors out
In 1996 when the City of Halifax underwent amalgamation, shop steward Dave Duffett saw the writing on the wall. Brother Duffett knew that unless members got more active in Local 108s outside workers unit, people were going to be hit by more contracting out. "My mother always told me, Dont wait for someone else to stand up for you. Stand up for yourself," he says. Duffett and two other members now have the ongoing task of monitoring the new snow and ice control program under Local 108s collective agreement.
"Whenever theres a conflict between union and management, itll come to our committee first so it can be remedied without having to take a lot of time," Duffett says about the program which went into effect November 15. Duffetts responsibilities include sitting down with a manager for his area the biggest in the Halifax Regional Muni-cipality and determining how employees and equipment are scheduled. National rep Larry Power says the monitoring "keeps contractors out of the workplace." A city gardener, Duffett was also instrumental in pressuring the employer to implement new health and safety measures after a member died as a result of a bee sting during the summer.
Duffett, who became "more proactive seven or eight years ago," says when "you stick your neck out" it encourages others to get involved in the union. "If theyre willing to do that for me, well, maybe I should stand up." Doreen Meyer
If you have a stewards experience that youd like to share, send us a note or an e-mail to comm@cupe.ca. Or if youre having a problem and you would like some help, send us a question and well ask others for their advice.
12/14/2000
http://cupe.ca/
Canadian Union of Public Employees
21 Florence St., Ottawa ON K2P 0W6
613 237 1590 (phone) 613 237 5508 (fax)
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Chief Steward's Message
The shop stewards of Local 3745 of CUPE welcome you to our web page. This page offers information about the shop stewards' role in our local. The responsibilities of the shop stewards are to assist custodial, maintenance and kitchen staff members of River East School Division. We represent their concerns regarding work place atmosphere. We inform our Brothers and Sisters about correct procedural matters, and at times we investigate complaints and arbitrate conclusions that are fair to our members. During the past year, serving as Chief Steward for our local, I have had the opportunity, thanks to CUPE Manitoba and the support of our local members of 3745, to attend weekend and week long educational seminars. There I learned strategies which I used at over 70 meetings where I helped resolve our members concerns. We are up for elections during March, and I will be running for re-election.
Thank You
Richard Hares (T.PKG
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