Local 986 Stewards Meet, Strategize

More than 200 stewards from Local 986 in El Monte, California attended a comprehensive stewards training program August 28-30.

Local 986 Secretary-Treasurer Chris Griswold and President Sean Harren worked for months to bring together local union officers, staff, key stewards and members to discuss what the three-day program should include. Every local union staff member was involved in the training.

“This program was developed to ensure our stewards have the most information and are fully prepared to be the first line of defense for our members,” Griswold said. “Our stewards are the backbone of our union.”

Guest speakers at the workshop included International Vice Presidents Randy Cammack and Rick Middleton, and Teamsters Local 14 Principal Officer Larry Griffith.

Other program highlights included a presentation on Teamster history that featured a 40-minute video on the building of the Teamsters and our union’s many contributions to American society, and a panel discussion on the significant highlights of President Obama's health care legislation that was passed and signed into law in 2010.

Breakout sessions included representation and organizing responsibilities under the NLRA and the Railway Labor Act; outside influences that affect what happens at the bargaining table, and how to involve members at the worksite.

"The success of this program is due in large part to the passionate and dedicated staff of this great local, but also due to the loyal and hard working volunteers of this local at the worksite level -- the Teamster stewards," Harren said. "I'm just so proud of the history of this local, and just so extremely proud of our stewards."