NP-3 Stewards Conference A Tool For Empowerment

The intersection of union representation, political action and community engagement could be found in Hartford on June 18, when the NP-3 State Clerical Bargaining Unit hosted its annual Stewards Recognition and Training event.

Members of the NP-3 unit – comprised of Locals 196, 318, 478, 610 and 704 – shared their experiences about a successful four-part stewards training provided by Council 4 and conducted via zoom.

Jessica Pirt of Local 318 said the training was a valuable learning tool.

“We had stewards who are newer, like myself, and stewards who have been there for years participating,” Pirt told her fellow NP-3 members. “We went through different scenarios of how a steward can handle a grievance. Overall, it was a fun and interesting experience,”

Margo Jones of Local 704 said the training helped create a bond among participants.

“I had the opportunity to experience the steward training,” she told conference participants. “I thought it was really cool because I never realized how much the union actually does, not just for state workers but for the community as well. Especially with labor issues, it’s nice to know that we have support from each other and we have a like-minded understanding.”

Local 318 President Pat Davis, a 26-veteran of state service, urged clerical members to get involved in all aspects of the union movement, including political and community activities.

“It’s important that we participate outside of our locals and outside of our agencies and in our community. That way people know the union is out there and the union is strong and part of everything in our communities.”

State Rep. Robyn Porter, co-chair of the Labor Committee stressed the important role stewards play not only in representing members but engaging in grass-roots political and legislative action:

“You connect people to the union, and show them what it means to be a union brother and sister,” Porter said, adding that Council 4 members must be vigilant in protecting their workplace rights.

“If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu. It’s time for us to start setting our own labor table,” she pointed out.

Council 4 Legislative and Political Advocate Zak Leavy provided a brief overview of the recently completed 2021 state legislative session.

He pointed to several accomplishments made possible by the involvement of our members, including SB 660, which expands Post Traumatic Stress Injury coverage under workers compensation to correctional staff, emergency dispatchers, EMS workers and health care workers; and SB 908, which protects the rights of public employees and public sector unions in the aftermath of the 2018 Janus v. AFSCME case decided by the Supreme Court.

Leavy also noted that Council 4 successfully pushed back against several attacks on public employee pensions and encouraged NP-3 members to get involved in the upcoming 2021 municipal elections.

Connecticut AFL-CIO President Sal Luciano provided his take on the importance of union representation. He discussed a recent study showing that people measure happiness not by wealth accumulation but by having the fundamental things needed for a decent existence, like a roof over their heads, food on the table, decent health care and a secure retirement.

“That’s what we do,” Luciano pointed out. “Unions fight for the ability to have the pursuit of happiness, to raise people up.” 

AFSCME Local 704 President Mark Torres called the day a great success as both a learning experience and a call to action.

“This conference recognized the important role of the union steward – not just in protecting our rights under the contract but in motivating members to care about their union,” Torres said. “Our union stewards, along with our Executive Boards, are the true backbone of the NP-3 bargaining unit.”