Basic Steward Training

Course Description:

This course will cover the basic duties and responsibilities of a Shop Steward. Building your skills by emphasizing strategic planning for local unions, member mobilization, recording documentation, and the grievance process. Students will participate in case studies to develop and enhance problem-solving techniques to navigate through daily issues swiftly and professionally. Students will also build more effective skills to communicate between trades as well as with their members, foreman, supervisors, and/or business managers. To make the course more meaningful, students should bring their own ideas for discussion. It is recommended but not a requirement.

Instructor Bio: Deb Sullivan has been involved in the labor movement for over 40 years. She recently retired from the Massachusetts Nurses Association, having previously worked for SEIU and IBEW locals. She has also taught labor studies at U Mass Boston and is an instructor at the Labor Guild. She has a BA and an MS in Labor Studies and is a graduate of the Harvard Trade Union Program. She has been a Parliamentarian since 2013, and is also a certified Mediator. It is an honor and a privilege to be able to give back to the labor movement through my work with the Guild.