January 11, 2005

A dedicated group of stewards from Local 429 in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania attended a day-long educational seminar on December 18. The local's President Bill Shappell thanked the stewards for their service to Teamster members. Michael Filler, Associate Director of the Teamsters Education Department, designed and conducted the program with special emphasis on labor laws governing public employees in the commonwealth.

After the introductions, the stewards were divided into several groups, based on their years of experience, and held discussions about major challenges facing Local 429 workplace representatives. Although several themes became apparent, all stewards expressed the need to have sufficient knowledge of their contract and to ensure consistent application of its terms. In addition, the stewards determined it was especially important for them to possess the proper commitment to the union and to help workers with their problems.

The stewards also critiqued a video entitled, “The Do’s and Don’ts of Grievance Handling” as a way to improve their representational skills. Later, Filler gave an overview of the three labor laws that impact those who work for public employers at the state, county, and local levels. The stewards were then given specific workbook assignments, which included various Teamster cases within the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board (PLRB). The attendees analyzed the PLRB cases, recorded their findings on worksheets, and presented oral summaries before the entire class.

Steward Dennis Good said he enjoyed learning about actual cases under the Public Employees Relations Act because it provided him with a greater awareness of employer unfair labor practices. 

“Since stewards are our first line of defense, these seminars offer them the knowledge and skills they need to address contract encroachments and to combat offending employers,” Shappell said. 

The Education Department conducts more than 125 programs annually for locals and Joint Councils throughout the U.S. and Canada. The department is now taking reservations for 2005 training.  Call 202-624-8117 for further details.