BER/Steward Training

BER/Stewards are an integral and important part of OSEA's ability to assist our members.  Our BER/Stewards are our eyes, ears, and sometimes arms and legs in the workplace.  Because members know their schools and workplaces better than our staff ever could, they are our most important assets.  Being a BER/Steward involves a bit more responsibility than just being a member, so it’s not always for everyone; but the satisfaction of knowing you’ve made a big difference in someone’s life can be a worthy reward. 

Our Field Representatives are directly responsible for training BER/Stewards.  They have skills and knowledge that they are more than happy to share with interested members.  To check if there is a BER/Steward training scheduled for your area, go to the Calendar.  If you would like to schedule a training session specifically for your Chapter, please contact your Field Representative.

Our training is available to all members and you do not need to volunteer to be a BER/Steward to attend.  If you want to know more about how your contract works, how to interpret the language in it, what constitutes a grievance, how to deal with management, how to investigate a possible grievance, and what rights you have in the workplace as a Union member, then this type of training is for you. 

A trained group of Chapter members can make the difference between having power and being powerless.  Volunteer to join the heart of OSEA and make a difference for your fellow workers.  Become a BER/Steward today!

The following is an outline of the information covered during BER/Steward Training:

1. What is a Union?
-- Lecture on labor history
-- Group discussion – What a Union means to me?

2. What is the importance of a good Union contract?
-- Lecture/Discussion

3. What is the role of a BER/Steward?
-- Organizer
-- Union Representative at the job site
-- Chapter leader
-- Educate employees about their rights
-- Identify, Investigate, and process grievances

4. Duty of Fair Representation

5. Weingarten Rights

6. Grievances
-- What is a grievance?
-- Investigating grievances
-- Writing grievances
-- Presenting grievances

7. Organizing around grievances/member involvement

BER/Stewards
BER stands for "Building Employee Representative." OSEA's BER/ Stewards are OSEA members who represent OSEA and OSEA members at their worksites.

To Schedule BER/Steward Training for Your Chapter
If you would like to schedule a BER/Steward Training for your chapter, contact your field representative or call 1-800-252-6732.

Questions??
If you have any questions, contact your Chapter Field Representative. Don't know who your Field Representative is? Click here.