Brown
Editor’s Note: Shop stewards play a vital role in CSEA locals and units. They are the first point of contact for members and play a key role by sharing information on current labor issues, answering questions about our union and our contracts and keeping members engaged and aware of all that is available to us through CSEA.
Mary Brown, a senior program assistant at the Dutchess County Department of Community and Behavioral Health, is well known within the Dutchess County Unit for her work as a shop steward and grievance representative. She’s worked for the county since 2001.
While she has stepped up her involvement in recent years, Brown got her start in CSEA as a shop steward and sees that role as an essential part of a strong union.
The Work Force’s Jessica Ladlee spoke with Brown about her union activism and why it’s important to continue to bring new shop stewards on board.
Jessica Ladlee (JL): What made you decide to step up as a steward?
Mary Brown (MB): I always try to be helpful where I can. For years, I never worked in a union setting, but my siblings and parents were all union members. When I went to work for the county, I decided I could help with small things such as phone banking. After that, I decided to take the steward training.
JL: What do you like about the steward role?
MB: I like educating my fellow members on what is available to them because we’re union. There are a lot of people who go to work each day and don’t realize what’s out there for them. I want members to understand their benefits and understand what their rights are. I do the orientation for new employees and give them a bunch of information on CSEA benefits, as well as a Weingarten rights card so they know their rights to union representation. Most will never need to use it, but it can be one of the scariest things you go through.
JL: Why is a strong shop steward network so important?
MB: People like having someone they know that they can go to. We’re there in each department so members can come ask questions and get answers right away. If we don’t have the answer or we’re in over our heads, we’re lucky to have a strong local president we can reach out to for help.
JL: As we face the challenges ahead, what role are shop stewards playing?
MB: Members can read about issues, but there is nothing better than a personal conversation. With something like the vote in November on a constitutional convention, we’ve been able to talk to members and personally urge them to come out to meetings and learn more. We had hundreds of people turn out for a meeting about this and then we were able to continue conversations back at work.
JL: Even if you already have a strong steward network, why is it important to keep recruiting?
MB: A lot of us will be retiring. We have to engage our younger members and make sure they’re
ready when it’s time for them to take over. Getting started as a steward is
a great way to do it.
Interested in becoming an activist?
If you are interested in becoming a steward, contact your region office to learn more about the required training.
The CSEA Education and Training Department offers a variety of workshops for leadership, activists and members. These workshops are designed to provide information and develop the knowledge and skills needed to negotiate/administer contracts, represent bargaining unit members and build and strengthen the union.
To achieve these skills, a variety of instructional methods are incorporated into the workshops, including:
- Case studies/quizzes
- Role playing
- Lectures
- Discussions
- Demonstrations
- Audiovisual presentations
Visit the CSEA Education and Training page:
cseany.org/field-services/education-and-training-2
for a schedule of trainings, including steward training.
