Frequently Asked Questions

The Steward Job Description spell out the key tasks of the steward.

SGEU’s steward training courses called ULD 10 and ULD 20 provide information about the structure and function of the union. The Steward Manual and Steward Pocket Calendar are other resources. SGEU is a large organization, whose structure can sometimes seem complicated. The longer you are active and the more questions you ask other stewards and your chief steward, the more familiar you will become with it.

Visit classroom.sgeu.org to learn more about ULD training!

If you haven’t yet received one in the mail, please call SGEU Membership Records at extension 239, toll-free at 1-800-667-5221 or in Regina at 522-8571.

It may be that SGEU has not received your steward registration form following your election. You can call SGEU Membership Records at extension 239, toll-free at 1-800-667-5221 or in Regina at 522-8571 to find out.

Suggested speaking notes can be found on this web page in the Steward Resources section. As well, your bargaining unit or local may have material you can use. SGEU’s three offices can also provide you with new-member kits and laminated flipcharts sheets to use during any orientation you give. During the ULD 20, participants learn how to give an orientation presentation.

Stewards are also employees and as such are responsible for performing the duties of their paid employment. (Stewards need to do their paid job well, to earn the respect of co-workers and to avoid being an easy target for the employer.) On the other hand, you have accepted a volunteer role, so there is an expectation that you will devote some of your free time to steward duties. Check in your collective agreement and with other stewards to see which steward duties you can legitimately perform on work time. For the rest, it’s okay to set boundaries on how much of your own time you will use for steward work. Each steward will do that in a different way. If you are feeling overloaded, talk to your chief steward.

Before the end of the term of your current collective agreement, all members of your bargaining unit will be sent a letter asking them to submit written suggestions for new bargaining proposals. Talk to your chief steward or bargaining committee chair to find out more details.

The first time a member asks for help can be nerve-wracking, especially if you haven’t taken any steward training yet! While it’s important to take this request very seriously, you aren’t on your own. First of all, ask the member to provide you will full details of what has happened. Take careful notes. Review all relevant clauses of your collective agreement to see if there are other questions you need to ask them. Then tell them that you are going to consult with your chief steward, a more experienced steward, or your AAA (depending on the practice in your bargaining unit) and that you will get back to them shortly. Talk the case over with your chief steward or other representative, who can advise you what part(s) of the collective agreement have been violated, if any; what further information you may need to locate; and what steps should be taken next.

The first time a member asks for help can be nerve-wracking, especially if you haven’t taken any steward training yet! While it’s important to take this request very seriously, you aren’t on your own. First of all, ask the member to provide you will full details of what has happened. Take careful notes. Review all relevant clauses of your collective agreement to see if there are other questions you need to ask them. Then tell them that you are going to consult with your chief steward, a more experienced steward, or your AAA (depending on the practice in your bargaining unit) and that you will get back to them shortly. Talk the case over with your chief steward or other representative, who can advise you what part(s) of the collective agreement have been violated, if any; what further information you may need to locate; and what steps should be taken next.

A bargaining unit is the union's term for a group of people who are covered by the same contract. In most cases, your bargaining unit is the same as your workplace. For example, if you work at the Happy Joy Help Home, then your bargaining unit is Happy Joy Help Home. It is a little different for direct government (Public Service) employees, who share the same contract and belong to one bargaining unit called Public Service/Government Employment (PS/GE). For example, if you work for the Department of Learning, your bargaining unit is PS/GE, the same as someone who works for the Department of Highways.

A Collective Bargaining Agreement is a negotiated agreement between appointed union representatives and employers, which outlines the conditions of employment, including wages, hours of employment, benefits and other conditions.

If you feel your job is incorrectly classified you can ask for a classification review. The review will be performed by the employer or a joint committee, depending on your collective agreement. If you are not satisfied with the re-classification decision, you may appeal or grieve the outcome.

Your work is classified. Your job classification describes the work you do. It’s important because your wages are linked to your job classification. Classification procedures vary from contract to contract. You can get specific information on your job classification by consulting your collective agreement, contacting human resources, your employer or your steward.

WHAT ARE MY UNION DUES DOING FOR ME?

• As a full-time worker, I’m earning 18% more than my non-union brothers and sisters. *
• As a part-time worker, I’m earning 63% more than my non-union brothers and sisters. *
• When my spouse or children need dental work, my dental plan pays the bill.
• When I’m ill, I have paid sick leave so I don’t have to worry how I’ll pay my bills.
• If someone in my family dies, I have paid bereavement leave.
• I will have a pension when I retire.
• If my job is abolished, I have bumping rights or I will receive severance pay.
• When I’m treated unfairly at work, my union will represent me.
• When our collective agreement is ignored or broken by the employer, we can file a grievance or use problem-solving approaches to address the situation.
• When our governments bring in legislation that take away social benefits for workers and the unemployed, I know that my union will fight for justice.
• Not only do my union dues deliver all of this and more, they are tax-deductible, too.

* Stats Canada 2002

What’s your union card worth?

Average Hourly Wage Non-Union
Full-time $17.22/hr
Part-time $10.60/hr

Average Hourly Wage Union Member
Full-time $20.29 (18% more)
Part-time $17.31 (63% more)

* Stats Canada 2002

Union dues are 1.9% of earnings as of July 1, 2011. They’re tax deductible!

• about safety, call 1-800-567-7233 (Regina) or 1-800-667-5023 (Saskatoon)
• about labour standards, call 1-800-667-1783
• about unions, call 306-787-0817 (Regina)
• about any Saskatchewan Labour service, visit www.labour.gov.sk.ca
• if you are injured on the job, call the Workers' Compensation Board at 306-787-4370 (Regina), 306-933-6312 (Saskatoon), or visit www.wcbsask.com
• about the Ready for Work program, contact the Education and Training Services Branch, Saskatchewan Labour, at (306) 787-3151 (Regina) or toll free 1-877-419-3510

cmoore [at] sgeu [dot] org (Ask a question)