April 24, 2008

On April 12, Local 200 was proud to host stewards training in Milwaukee, which is noted for its working class neighborhoods, world-class breweries and dedicated Teamster members.

Nearly 60 stewards attended the program that was conducted by Shawn D. Ellis, Central Region Training Coordinator from the Teamsters Training and Development Department, who also organized and facilitated the program. Karin Jones, Communications and Outreach Coordinator for the Department, and Tony Fiori, a representative from the Teamsters Department of Field Action, also presented sessions at the workshop.

“Knowledge of what happens at the bargaining table and its impact is exactly what our steward network needed to explore,” said Tom Millonzi, Secretary-Treasurer for Local 200.  “It was great to see the involvement and participation of the stewards in the dialog. I’m proud of this group of stewards for their dedication and commitment.”

Among the topics covered were grievance handling, steward responsibilities, bargaining factors, Teamster history and the importance of political action involvement. Later in the training, the entire group of stewards became involved in an overall discussion on bargaining factors that influence the across-the-table dialog at contract expiration time.

“This was a great group of dedicated stewards from the very start of the program,” Jones said. “And learning what their great international union has stood for and gained for the working class of this country has visibly increased their pride and commitment to the union.”