the STRENGTH of the Union

“Stewards make collective bargaining agreements meaningful by helping their coworkers enforce the contract and defend their rights on a day-to-day basis,” Townsend adds.

Topics covered by the International Union’s steward education program include grievance investigation, understanding the contract, roles and responsibilities of the steward, legal rights, health and safety in the workplace and communicating with union members. The training programs feature presentations, small group activities and active discussions and debates.

In addition to Kellogg’s, Tyson Foods and Rich Products, Local 25 represents workers at Bimbo Bakeries in Knoxville and Johnson City, Tenn., ADM Milling in Chattanooga, Tenn. and Lewis Brothers Bakeries in Murfreesboro, Tenn.