SEIU 2010 Steward Training
The 2010 Steward Training was held at Shanty Creek Resort and Hotel in Bellaire, MI. The Advanced Steward Training was held for 56 attendees on Sunday, January 31, and Monday February 1.
Sunday’s program included:
- Welcome and Introductions by Lynda Roberts, Local 517M Secretary/Treasurer;
- SEIU National Perspective Regarding Assault Against Public Employees, by Phil Thompson, Local 517M Executive Vice President
- A speech from Representative Dan Scripps, 101st District (D);
- SEIU Code of Ethical Practices and Conflict of Interest Policy, by Howard Gordon, Local 517M Region 3 Coordinator;
- Committee on Political Education (COPE) and Politics by Steve Reck, Local 517M Political Director;
- Update of Legislative Issues by Cynthia Paul, Legislative Director, Michigan SEIU State Council;
- Member Strength Program and Communication; David Corrie, Local 517M Information Services Coordinator;
The Sunday Program was followed by a social hour and dinner.
Monday’s program was a “Train The Trainer” format. Attendees were split up in two groups of seven at seven tables. Each person was given a topic to present to their table. The topics and materials were mailed to each presenter before the training. The topics consisted of: Difficult Issues for Grievances; Americans with Disabilities Act; Member Termination; Advantages of Collective Bargaining; Information Gathering; Preparing for Arbitration; and Just Cause and Discipline. The presenters were given forty minutes each to present their topic to the group.
Training also was held on Tuesday February 2nd, for the Technical Division Stewards. There were 24 attendees. A presentation was given on Workplace Bulling, by Michelle Kaminski, MSU Labor Education Program.
Ms. Kaminski’s program included topics such as: What is workplace bullying?; Examples of bullying behaviors; How common is it?; The Impact of Bullying; Why do people bully others?; What to do if you are being bullied.; What groups of co-workers can do; What Unions can do; What Management can do; Differences in brain activity; Theories about why psychopaths develop; Borderline personality disorder; Coping mechanisms; How some Machiavellians become so successful; and How to respond to bullying.
She also passed out some supplemental materials which included: A Bill introduced in Massachusetts addressing workplace bullying, mobbing and harassment; Some sample contract language addressing workplace bullying; Workplace Bullying and the Law (in other countries); Workplace Bullying: What Everyone Needs to Know; and The Difference Between Workplace Bullying and Harassment.
She presented several scenarios and had the attendees break up into groups to discuss how to resolve the problems in the scenarios. She then provided the actual responses to the problems.
The one thing people seemed to take from the training was how common workplace bullying is in their own work environment.
The Technical Unit Steward of the Year Award was presented to Tammy Cruickshank. Tammy worked tirelessly serving her fellow technicians. For almost two years she was the only steward in the entire Upper Peninsula, driving as much as 300 miles to represent a member. (Pictured L-R: Tammy Cruickshank receives her Steward of the Year Award from Arnold Beller, Grievance Committee Co-Chair.)