Public Employee Press


Local 2054 shop stewards conference
Building a stronger union

By DIANE S. WILLIAMS

Over two dozen Local 2054 rank-and-file leaders spent the July 22-24 weekend at a shop stewards conference that focused on building a stronger, more active union.

"We are developing an activist network and improving communication with the members. Our shop stewards play a key role in this," said Local 2054 Administrator Jim Cullen.

The local represents College Assistants, Disability Accommodations Specialists and Sign Language Interpreters at City University of New York campuses in the five boroughs, and at the Computer Center and Hunter College High School.

The Pennsylvania conference was organized by DC 37 White Collar Division Director Mike Riggio and Assistant Director Chris Wilgenkamp, who also serves as the local's deputy administrator, and DC 37 staff.

Building solidarity

"Previously the local did not have stewards on every campus, so that became an immediate goal. We want to get more members interested and involved," Cullen explained. "We have seen a tremendous increase in meeting attendance recently." To date the local has held more than 40 on-campus meetings with members.

Through workshops, stewards learned to provide outreach and meet face-to-face with members to better recognize and resolve problems. The local identified new stewards and introduced them to more experienced ones so they could work together as a team. "The training definitely built a stronger bond of solidarity," Cullen said.

"A lot of information we didn't know about until now," said Felix Peralta. "I understand more and can really sink my teeth into the responsibility that comes with being a shop steward. The training gave me a different perspective and better focus."

"We practiced presentations, and I admit I was scared," said Patricia Mitchell. "What was I going to say? The training I received gave me the confidence I needed to speak up. We learned how to present ourselves."

Stewards returned to their campuses and immediately implemented their contractual right to have bulletin boards on campus. With cooperation from the human resources departments, they posted information on union benefits and programs. Their creativity inspired others to get involved.

"The training prepared me to help my co-workers know their rights. Together we can make CUNY a better place to work," said Patricia Walsh. "We are all brothers and sisters in solidarity. The media is attacking public employees. We work the hardest and we make this institution one of the best. Behind every great company are shop stewards and a union to back them up."

"Stewards are our front line of visibility - the union's eyes and ears," Cullen said. "They hear the problems and communicate that information back to the union leadership. The better they are at doing this, the better we can be at resolving problems our members face."