Volunteers Needed for New Advisory Council
Tony Branco, branch president of the mail handlers union in Bellmawr, announced during the campaign that he would launch an advisory council to make the union more democratic. That was Step #2 in his 10-step plan for improving the union.
If you'd like to become more involved with the union, please let Branco or any steward know. Your request must be submitted in writing. Anyone who has served as a 204B during the past two years is excluded.
- Council members will be the eyes and ears of the union on the workroom floor and will receive training on the contract and how to record and report violations.
- Council members are encouraged to meet daily with the branch president and/or stewards on duty to discuss any contract violations, emerging trends, questions and concerns.
- Council members will serve for a period of six months on a first-come, first-served basis.
Springboard to becoming a union steward
While union members can volunteer at any time to serve as stewards, some people hold back from doing so because they don't know what's involved. Branco says volunteering as an advisory council member will give mail handlers some experience in being a steward because they'll be learning more about the contract.
Branco says prospective stewards must know how to use standard office technology, such as word processing and e-mail - or be willing to learn. They also must be willing to have their photograph appear on the plant's bulletin boards and on the union's Web site.