Roles and Responsibilities - COMMUNICATOR

The role of communicator runs throughout every other role of the steward. As a democratic institution, a breakdown in communications can seriously damage a union. Listed below are some of the things that the steward should do and know to fulfill the role of communicator, and suggestions as to how to do them:

The Steward as a Communicator

What You Do:

1. Keep members informed on union policies and activities.
2. Detect and stop rumors.
3. Keep members informed on company proposals and policies.
4. Direct problems through the proper channels .
5. Use several different methods of communicating with the members.
6. Encourage members to contribute to your local newsletter.
7. Urge attendance and participation at union meetings.

What You Need To Know:

1. Union policies and activities and their rationale.
2. Where the rumor started and why.
3. Members should look to you for their information.
4. Who has responsibility over the area in question.
5. Communications methods may differ according to the messages.
6. The newsletter is the voice of the members and the officers.
7. The union meeting is democracy in action.

How You Go About It:

1. Make sure your local has its own newsletter and everyone receives it.
2. Have buttons, hats and T-shirts with the union insignia available to the membership.
3. Talk to members daily about the union, ask questions and listen to the membership.
4. Become an active listener as an important way to build solidarity in your union.
5. Active listening is one of the best methods to build solidarity in your union.
6. Keep the union bulletin board updated. Use catching flyers whenever possible.