2022 DISTRICT CONFERENCE EDUCATION WORKSHOPS
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
2022 DISTRICT CONFERENCE EDUCATION WORKSHOPS
There are some workshops offered twice, but not all of them. In order for you and your local to get more out of
the week, it is highly suggested that locals who send more than one member attend different workshops.
1. WORKSHOP- Internal Organizing
DESCRIPTION- Local Unions build solidarity and grow membership by identifying widely felt and
deeply-felt issues in the workplace and engaging members with a message of solidarity, “we are
only strong when we all belong.” This workshop will explore using new employee orientation and
one-on-one conversations to build strong, unified local unions.
INSTRUCTOR- Jeff Cech
2. WORKSHOP-The Ins and Outs of FMLA
DESCRIPTION-The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 was passed to prevent workers from
having to make the impossible choice between their health or that of their family members and
their jobs. This course will provide activists with an overview of FMLA, including the protections
it provides, eligibility requirements, certification, and how it interacts with collective bargaining
agreements.
INSTRUCTOR-Pam Cantolina
3. WORKSHOP- Bargaining in Healthcare
DESCRIPTION- A discussion on strategies and tools you can use to engage your membership,
create leverage, and fight for a better contract.
INSTRUCTOR- Tamara Lefcowitz
4. WORKSHOP- What is ICD? It’s Learning. Your Benefit for Life.
DESCRIPTION - Are your members looking to learn a new trade, pick up additional skills,
promote within the workplace, or go back to school and earn college credit? Well, with ICD in
your contract, you can take up to $2,500 a year in tuition assistance AND an additional $2,000
for customized classes – at no cost and with no strings attached. ICD is an educational benefit
created for the Steelworkers by the Steelworkers to further members’ need for education – or to
have a fallback plan if something happens. Some members have used the benefit to start their
own side businesses, move up in their jobs at the plant, or add technical skills to their resumes.
ICD’s motto is, “Learning. Your Benefit for Life.” The knowledge you gain and the skills you acquire
through the ICD benefit can’t be taken away from you – they’re yours for life. Let us show you
how it’s possible. The question isn’t if you should have ICD as part of your benefits package; it’s
why don’t you have it already.
INSTRUCTOR- Sean Hayden
Page | 12022 DISTRICT CONFERENCE EDUCATION WORKSHOPS
There are some workshops offered twice, but not all of them. In order for you and your local to get more out of
the week, it is highly suggested that locals who send more than one member attend different workshops.
5. WORKSHOP- Public Speaking
DESCRIPTION- Public speaking is an effective skill that helps Local Union officers and
members to do the work of the Union. In spite of this, people describe it as one of the most
terrifying things in the world. If public speaking gives your stomach butterflies come to this
workshop – you’ll get practical tips on how to cope with your nerves and get your talking points
in order!
INSTRUCTOR- John Lepley
6. WORKSHOP- Costing Out Contracts
DESCRIPTION - In this workshop we will cover the basics of information requests, and the basics
of using Excel to analyze employee census data, wage increases, and other economic proposals
that will help when we cost out contracts during bargaining.
INSTRUCTOR- Chad Apaliski
7. WORKSHOP-Being a Good Steward of our Members Dues - Local Union Finances
DESCRIPTION-The financial integrity of the United Steelworkers is one of our Union’s most
important assets. USW members place great faith in Local Union Presidents, Financial
Secretaries, Treasurers, and Trustees to safeguard their treasuries. This workshop, which is based
on years of time-tested experience, will walk members through basic principles of record keeping
and financial administration that will promote confidence within the Local Union.
INSTRUCTOR-Tom Kutlus
• Please note that the Financial Workshop is only available to Financial Secretaries and
Treasurers.
8. WORKSHOP-Communicating and Community Building: Connections that Make us Stronger
DESCRIPTION-In this workshop we will explore two important functions of building our Union:
communicating with our members and others and taking our Union into our communities with
meaningful service. We’ll spend the first half of the workshop learning about digital
communication tools, the basics of a communications strategy and discussing the Do’s and Don’ts
of social media. In the second part of this class, we will learn about the USW Cares Program and
walk through how to plan and execute successful community service that not only grows our
Union but benefits the communities where we live and work. Bring a laptop with access to Wi-Fi
if possible, but not required.
INSTRUCTOR-Connie Mabin
Page | 22022 DISTRICT CONFERENCE EDUCATION WORKSHOPS
There are some workshops offered twice, but not all of them. In order for you and your local to get more out of
the week, it is highly suggested that locals who send more than one member attend different workshops.
9. WORKSHOP- Contract Negotiations – Just getting started
DESCRIPTION-A lot of work goes into negotiating collective bargaining agreements. From
surveying members, to drafting language, to knowing when to call for a caucus: a good
agreement requires extensive workplace organizing to support a bargaining committee. This class
will cover the basics of surveying members, drafting contract language, information requests,
and discussions on what makes committees effective and the law of collective bargaining.
INSTRUCTOR-Lisa Jordan
10. WORKSHOP-Building Power for Bargaining
DESCRIPTION-Learn ways your local union can build power for contract negotiations by
increasing communication and engaging members in the process. This introduction to the USW
Building Power Program will cover the basic steps and strategies to consider in preparation for
bargaining including building a Communication and Action Team, developing communication
tools like text messaging and examples of effective solidarity actions.
INSTRUCTOR-Katrina Fitzgerald
11. WORKSHOP- Rapid Response Reboot
DESCRIPTION – The foundation of Rapid Response is one – on – one communication. During the
pandemic, although extraordinary work was done to move pro worker legislation, it is very clear
the program lost some ground. In this workshop we will focus on what we can do to re-establish
our local union networks to make the program work the best it can.
INSTRUCTOR- Sue Browne & Randie Pearson
12. WORKSHOP-Welcome to the Family! Using New Hire Orientation to Build Activism
DESCRIPTION-Every Local Union has an opportunity to show new hires that “Good jobs aren’t
given to us – they’re bargained for!” In fact, research shows that workers who experience new
hire orientations are more likely to become activists and have positive feelings about being a
union member than those that don’t. This course will cover the basics of new hire orientation,
including sample contract language, how to conduct it, and how to turn it into a long-term power-
building project for your local union.
INSTRUCTOR-John Lepley
Page | 32022 DISTRICT CONFERENCE EDUCATION WORKSHOPS
There are some workshops offered twice, but not all of them. In order for you and your local to get more out of
the week, it is highly suggested that locals who send more than one member attend different workshops.
13. WORKSHOP-How to Run an Effective Union Meeting
DESCRIPTION-Local Union meetings are where members conduct important business and discuss
ongoing issues. It requires a chair that can run a fair and impartial meeting; at the same time, it
also requires members who know how to participate and engage in the process. This course will
cover both ends of the spectrum and prepare participants to chair meetings and to teach
members how to participate in them as well.
INSTRUCTOR-Jamie Walker
14. WORKSHOP- Contract Negotiations – In Depth
DESCRIPTION- A lot of work goes into negotiating collective bargaining agreements. From
surveying members, to drafting language, to knowing when to call for a caucus: a good
agreement requires extensive workplace organizing to support a bargaining committee. This class
will cover the basics of surveying members, drafting contract language, information requests,
and discussions on what makes committees effective and the law of collective bargaining.
INSTRUCTOR-Lisa Jordan
15. WORKSHOP – Civil Rights
DESCRIPTION – The United Steelworkers’ position on civil and human rights is contained in our
Constitution and Bylaws. It can at times be a difficult task for local unions to make certain that
the intent of our policies and federal laws are carried out in the conduct of their day-to-day work.
In this workshop we will provide guidelines and information that support our Union’s vision to
build a stronger inclusive organization where women and men of all races, cultures, religions,
ages, nationalities, disabilities, sexual orientation and sexual identity are welcomed and
respected.
INSTRUCTORS- Teresa Cassady & Al Calhoun
16. WORKSHOP-Organizing Committee – Meet and Greet
DESCRIPTION- With the exciting new addition of Michigan to District 1, we want to give activists
a chance to ask questions, and talk about plans to strengthen our Organizing Committees and
build our Union.
INSTRUCTORS-Eric Sweeney & Randy Basham
Page | 42022 DISTRICT CONFERENCE EDUCATION WORKSHOPS
There are some workshops offered twice, but not all of them. In order for you and your local to get more out of
the week, it is highly suggested that locals who send more than one member attend different workshops.
17. WORKSHOP- NextGen Committee – Meet and Greet
DESCRIPTION- With the exciting new addition of Michigan to District 1, we want to give activists
a chance to meet District 1’s NextGen Coordinators, Tiffany McKee & Steve Donovan. You will
have the opportunity to meet and ask questions, talk about plans to strengthen the District’s
NextGen program going forward, and offer resources.
INSTRUCTORS- Tiffany McKee & Steve Donovan
18. WORKSHOP- Women of Steel – Meet and Greet
DESCRIPTION- All female members of the USW are considered Women of Steel regardless of
their union position or the industry or service they work in. Some are activists and some serve on
their local’s Women’s Committee. In this meet and greet you will have the opportunity to ask
questions and to talk about plans to strengthen and build your Women of Steel Committees in
your locals.
INSTRUCTORS- Tonya Devore & Teresa Cassady
19. WORKSHOP- Veterans of Steel – Meet and Greet
DESCRIPTION- In this meet and greet you will learn how to build your Veterans of Steel
Committees and get ideas on community involvement and how to build camaraderie for USW
members who have served or who are actively serving our country.
INSTRUCTORS- Jim Mason
20. WORKSHOP- Rapid Response Meet and Greet
DESCRIPTION- With the exciting new addition of Michigan to District 1, we want to give activists
a chance to meet District 1’s new Rapid Response Coordinator, Sue Browne. There she will have
the opportunity to meet and take questions from activists, talk about plans to strengthen the
District’s Rapid Response program going forward, and offer resources.
INSTRUCTORS- Sue Browne
21. WORKSHOP- SOAR – Meet and Greet
DESCRIPTION- Our Union is stronger when steelworker retirees are involved as activists,
advocates, and volunteers. Come to this meet and greet to talk about forming SOAR chapters for
the retirees in your locals.
INSTRUCTORS- Julie Stein, Jeff DeLong, & Jay McMurran
Page | 52022 DISTRICT CONFERENCE EDUCATION WORKSHOPS
There are some workshops offered twice, but not all of them. In order for you and your local to get more out of
the week, it is highly suggested that locals who send more than one member attend different workshops.
22. WORKSHOP-Anatomy of a Steward
DESCRIPTION-Stewards and grievers are the front line of defense for USW members. This
workshop will cover the essential responsibilities of stewards and grievers, particularly their role
as educators, organizers, communicators, and problem solvers. The curriculum will also feature
best practices on grievance handling and investigation.
INSTRUCTORS- Sub Directors & Staff Reps
23. WORKSHOP- Disaster Preparedness and Response
DESCRIPTION- In this training session, participants learn how to identify human-made and
natural disasters that could occur in their communities and workplaces. Further, they learn how
to identify hazards associated with these disasters, and how to protect themselves, their families,
their coworkers and communities, before, during and after an event.
INSTRUCTOR- Mike Polkki & Matt Velker
24. WORKSHOP-Planning for An Active Shooter Incident
DESCRIPTION- With active shooter events becoming more frequent, workplaces need to have
plans to prepare for these situations. In this training, participants learn about active shooter
preparedness plans and essential tools available to members through the USW. Participants will
also review how punitive policies at work can impact mental well-being and the steps the Union
can take.
INSTRUCTORS-Ashlee Fitch
25. WORKSHOP- What to Do When the Unthinkable Happens - When to Activate the ERT
DESCRIPTION- When tragedy strikes our coworkers, our Union has a team in place to help. The
USW Emergency Response Team (ERT) offers victims, family members, witnesses and co-workers
immediate aid, assess and refer to victims, family members, witnesses and co-workers to
agencies for stress relief and grief counseling when there is a workplace fatality or life altering
event. In this workshop, we will discuss all the ways the ERT can assist locals, and when it’s
appropriate to activate the team.
INSTRUCTOR- Duronda Pope
Page | 62022 DISTRICT CONFERENCE EDUCATION WORKSHOPS
There are some workshops offered twice, but not all of them. In order for you and your local to get more out of
the week, it is highly suggested that locals who send more than one member attend different workshops.
26. WORKSHOP- Legislating in the 2020’s
DESCRIPTION- In the last couple of sessions of Congress, the way legislation is being crafted and
introduced has changed. As Congress has passed fewer bills, they have gotten bigger and more
complicated. Instead of bringing to the floor the stand alone bills we often focus our work around,
multiple bills are being bundled into larger packages. In this session, we will explore how we can
be most effective in making sure our legislative priorities, like pushing for better health and safety
in our workplaces, remain intact.
INSTRUCTORS- Amber Miller
27. WORKSHOP- Health & Safety – Developing Strategic Plans to Take on Health and Safety Issues
DESCRIPTION- This interactive workshop will introduce and give participants an opportunity to
practice strategic planning tools to develop a union framework and foundation for taking on
health and safety work. It also explores approaches that involve members, helps to build our
union voice and power to improve health and safety conditions.
INSTRUCTOR- Trish Creech
28. WORKSHOP-Protecting Our Health & Safety on the Job: Where We’ve Come and Where We’re
Headed
DESCRIPTION- Every day our union is working through the regulatory and legislative process,
both federally and at the state level, to make our workplaces safer. Learn about recent
developments in safety standards, ongoing work to improve our laws and efforts to address
concerns in specific industries, from healthcare to manufacturing and more.
INSTRUCTORS-Nick Young/Juan Zuniga
Page | 7You can also read
