Local 18007 Steward Article

Stewardship and Service

Fellow employees, Brothers and Sisters of Local 18007, it has been my pleasure to serve as your Union representative. However, I am finding that few employees are willing to step up to the plate and, become interested in taking on the responsibility of this awesome task of being a Union Steward. I am sure that you are aware, many of our senior employees and representatives are retiring, leaving behind vacancies that will need to be filled. Although I am a representative that you will come to see whenever there are problems, the only thing that should be considered is: was there a failure to adhere to the contract that has been agreed upon between Peoples Gas and the members of Local 18007. You may not be aware of it, but each of you as members of the Local, are in fact, acting as stewards and representatives daily when you recognize problems or experience grievances within your specialty of employment. Again, the only question to consider is, what are the agreed-upon duties or responsibilities as it relates to the contract.

I believe that the reason why many of you shy away from taking on this responsibility of service/stewardship is that you may not be sure how to manage the problems that will be brought to you by fellow members. Well, that answer is simple: What is the language in the contract? Who should I talk to about the problem? What is the goal or what do I /we expect to be the desired end? All the answers are in the CBA, which I like to refer to as my work bible.

It is my hope that some of you will step forward and become courageous and realize that Stewardship and Service are HONORABLE! Brothers and Sisters, your talents are needed. See you at our next Union Meeting.

Humbly Submitted

Antoinette Wheat,

Steward Central Shop.