A Union Assistance Network

A Social Steward

· First and foremost, a social steward is a member of our Local who participates in union life.

· This union involvement helps him or her provide assistance to members who are experiencing personal problems.

· Assistance is based on listening so as to refer those members who express such a need to union, community and professional resources.

The assistance offered can be related to addiction, mental health, debt load and family-related problems and other situations members may be experiencing. The important thing for social stewards is to meet the needs of the members.
It is a network that we can rely on in our workplace. It helps improve our quality of life at work.


Network Objectives

· To ensure our members' well-being by promoting prevention and peer assistance.

· To provide assistance as equals and on a voluntary and confidential basis.

The Union recognizes the importance of a network of social stewards that offers an alternative to the employer's Employee Assistance Program (EAP).


What is a social steward?

A social steward is an activist acting as a resource-person who wants to ensure the well-being of a brother or sister experiencing problems that are not covered by the collective agreement. It is also a person who may help by respecting your choices, who has no authority over you and who provides such assistance in total confidentiality.


What is the role of a social steward?

It's listening to members in an effort to help them identify their problems and find solutions; referring those experiencing problems to the proper resources and at the appropriate time; ensuring that any exchange or assistance respects the basic principles of social and union action:

· Member's well-being
· Assistance between equals
· Free and voluntary
· Personal respect
· Confidentiality


What are the problems?

There are many areas of intervention, such as:

· Alcoholism and drug addiction
· Drug dependence
· Family environment
· Interpersonal relationships
· Mental health
· Debt
· Others

As such, there is prevention involved in each area of intervention. When people contact a social steward, he or she helps them become aware of their problems and informs them of available resources by ensuring proper support and follow up.


Who is it for?

Any brother or sister who needs to be listened to, informed, made to feel secure, referred, helped, or supported.

The Union oversees the development of the network by providing basic union information:

· To develop your listening skills
· To know available resources
· To do prevention work

The Union is making every effort to have social stewards recognized by the employers in collective agreements. It is trying to obtain for social stewards rights that are similar to those granted to union stewards.