Steward's Corner

Tools for Stewards

National Joint Council

There are two Directives that have finished their cyclical reviews and the new Directives come into effect April 1, 2008. The changes to the Travel Directive and the Occupational Health and Safety Directive are highlighted at the links listed below.

Travel Directive: http://www.njc-nm.gc.ca/doc.php?did=386&lang=en

OH&SD: http://www.njc-cnm.gc.ca/doc.php?did=391&lang=en

What is a Shop Steward?

For many members, the Steward is the face of the union. The Steward is the visible presence of the union in the workplace as the union officer who works with and interacts with the members at the workplace and represents them in a specific work area. The Steward enforces the collective agreement and protects the rights members have acquired through negotiations and other union actions. Stewards are elected or appointed within the Local.

If you are interested in becoming a Steward, contact your Local Executive.

As a Steward you are the officer who acts as the liaison between the Local Executive and the membership. It is your job to make sure the members you represent at the worksite know what the union and Local are doing and it is also your job to make sure the union and the Local know how the members you represent feel on any subject.

The Steward is a key person in the union and it is within your power to ensure your Local is strong, representative and successful in protecting membership rights.

Here is some information, downloadable forms, web-links and other tools that may be useful to Stewards and Local Executive Officers. Click on a topic to be taken to that section, or scroll down the page.

Links marked are .pdf documents, links marked open in a new window.

General Information

The role of the Steward - The Steward's job: what you need to do, to know, to have.

Our rights under the law - Union members have rights! Dont let anyone take those rights away.

About Union Management Consultation Commitees - The Role of the Steward and the Union Management Consultation Committee.

The Stewards Dictionary - Some terms to know.

Education

Education is an integral and ongoing part of all union activity. The Alliance Education Program offers various courses which provide members with learning opportunities to develop knowledge, skills and personal confidence.

Click for the PSAC education schedule in the Atlantic Region.

Grievances & Representation

What is a grievance - Types of grievance, the grievance procedure, adjudication/arbitration.

Problem solving: grievances and complaints - Identifying a grievance.

Acting Pay: Some Principles

Classification grievances - Information on the national website.

Discipline: Mitigating Factors

Discipline - Rights to Union Representation

Duty of Fair Representation

Estoppel - Estoppel is a very important and often misunderstood doctrine of fairness. Even where the collective agreement or an employer policy clearly does not establish an entitlement, a separate question may arise as to whether “fairness” would prevent its strict application.

Facts win grievances - Use the 7 “W’s” to gather all the essential facts.

Investigation of a complaint or grievance - Gathering the Facts.

Interpretation of Collective Agreements - Tips on interpreting the CA.

Grievance Presentation Form

Grievance file check-list

Grievance arbitration and adjudication cases of interest - A list on the national website.

The grievance hearing - Basic points to remember in preparing and presenting your case.

Grievance Transmittal Form

Grievance flowchart - Includes timelines.

Writing the grievance - Includes an example and transmittal information.

Hearing conduct - very general outline regarding the procedure which is followed at adjudication or arbitration hearings.

Off-Duty Conduct - Principles regarding off duty conduct.

Operational Requirements: Some Principles - Operational Requirements are a question of fact to be determined in each case ...

Sample Consent Form

Sick Leave, Medical Certificates, Medical Examinations and Related Issues: Some Principles - From a current examination of the case law on sick leave, medical certificates and medical examinations, the following principles will serve as a guide.

"Special Leave" with Pay - Snowstorms/Inclement Weather: Some Principles - The following principles outline what we have learned from arbitrators’ decisions on the many grievances on denial of “special leave”.

Steward factsheet

Unfair Labour Practices - Unfair labour practices interfere with workers’ rights to join and participate in the union, or in the union’s right to represent its members.

Union Representative Immunity - Union representative “immunity” refers to the latitude a representative enjoys in dealing with management.

Using the 7 W's to gather facts - Some examples.

Work force adjustment and your rights - A series of fact-sheets at the national website.

Legislation & Policy

Canada Labour Code

Canada Labour Code, Pt II - Occupational Health & Safety

Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations

Treasury Board list of policies and guidelines

Public Service Modernization Act - Information at Treasury Board website

Informal Conflict Management System (ICMS) Resource Guide - Information at Treasury Board website

Public Service Labour Relations Board (PSLRB)

Public Service Labour Relations Act