COMMUNITY OF COLLABORATION

COMMUNITY OF COLLABORAT

STEWARD TRAINING ALLOWS INFORMATION TO BE SHARED AMONG DIFFERENT CHAPTERS

The Metropolitan Alliance of Police was pleased to host its annual steward training seminar Oct. 5. MAP representatives and MAP attorneys teamed up to provide an educational seminar loaded with tools and knowledge necessary for stewards to effectively represent members. MAP provides this annual training free of charge to all of its members. While anyone can attend, the seminar is geared toward the stewards. “We’re teaching the stewards how to run their chapters, what are their rights and their responsibilities,” said MAP Secretary John Ward. “The more they know the easier it is for MAP.” Topics for 2021 included: new/ additional laws; mid-term bargaining; body camera issues; recognizing your rights while exercising collective bargaining activities; understanding your privileges during discipline hearings; Garrity and Weingarten rights; identifying contract violations and effectively applying the grievance process; negotiating/enforcing your contracts; and other current issues. Charles C. Wegend Jr. of the LaSalle County Sheriff’s Department has been involved with union representation for 15 years. “This day was very informative, all areas were well-covered. . . more people should come out,” Wegend said. “The biggest takeaways this year were the grievance process and the impact of collective bargaining.” Due to COVID, the seminar was not held in 2020. “COVID has definitely changed how we do things. We have to make sure we’re safe and protected with PPE,” Wegend said. Mark Swoboda of the North Aurora Police Department concurred. “Year after year the biggest benefit is the collaborative environment. Different agencies getting to compare notes and network,” Swoboda said. “It’s also great for being on a union board; it’s a great introduction to what your responsibilities are as a board member.” Having attorneys present is an added bonus according to Swoboda. “That is the biggest benefit, getting information directly from an attorney.” According to Ward each chapter has its own MAP representative and attorney. MAP has two specific attorneys on retainer. “We just started a couple of years ago with in-house attorneys. If there’s any kind of conflict at all regarding attorneys we can help with it,” Ward