December 7, 2011
Steward Training Update
Lodge 203 is expecting an increase of work in its jurisdiction in 2012 and Ray Flaherty, Business Representative for Lodge 203, saw the need to have members renew their skills as representatives of Lodge 203 on the job site. The training session took place on November 24, 2011 in Holyrood, NL, where International Rep, Richard MacIntosh, conducted Basic Steward Training, International Rep, Kent Oliver, addressed jurisdictions, followed by occupational health and safety (OH&S) training by Jason McInnis, Canadian National Health & Safety Director for the Boilermakers.
Participating in the classes for Lodge 203 were: Joseph Flynn, Fred Hawco,
Frank Perowley, Frank Walsh, Edward Flynn, Robert Hynes and Robert Lewis.
On Dec 3, 2011, Jimmy Fitzpatrick, Business Manager of Lodge 191 (Victoria, BC), hosted a Level 2 Steward Training program. With an increasing amount of work expected to take place over the next five years at Victoria Shipyards, Fitzpatrick saw a need to develop workplace leaders that represent the interests of the members of this International.
The participants in the class for Lodge 191 were: Julain Szostakiwsky, Shane Skirrow, Andrew Geddes, Kornel Halasz, Michael Loots, Ron Kaye and Wai Leung.
Lodge 580 in Halifax also played host to Steward Training on October 14-15, 2011. Local Lodge President, Bob Fish, saw a need for his members to be trained as stewards along with other individuals from unions that make up the East Coast Dockyard Council. Bob Fish contacted Richard MacIntosh, who is the President of the Dockyard Council Liaison Committee, to request Basic and Second Level classes for the members.
After the training, the East Coast Dockyard Council stated "I would like to extend our sincere thanks and gratitude for an excellent training session. Some of those on the training went back to the shops this week and put their training and new found knowledge of the roles and duties of a shop steward to good use. They followed up with their shop members on collective bargaining and brought forward some proposals to ensure the concerns of their members were heard. We had our general membership meeting and several of the stewards were there asking questions for clarification so they could report back. A job well done. Verbal feedback so far has been exceptional, saying it is the best training any of them have received to date. Again a very special thanks."
Participants for Lodge 580 were: Bob Fish, Yves Fournier, Kevin Duffy,
Jamie Davidson, Glen Miller, Ed MacDougall, Don Alexander and Dan Jones.
Members are strongly encouraged to participate in a steward training class if they have not had the opportunity in the past, or they wish to refresh some of their knowledge of an important leadership role in the Union. To learn more about the next steward classes at your local lodge click here. Steward training is open to all members of the Union.