America West Stewards Prepared for Representation

May 15, 2003

Mechanics and related workers at America West now have stewards who are informed of every aspect of Teamster representation. America West stewards and activists from Local 104 attended leadership training on April 24 and 25 in Phoenix.

The one-and-a-half-day training offered a wide variety of information on the resources, skills and strategies that Teamster stewards need to represent the interests of members, and also covered topics, including leadership, communication, roles and responsibilities of the steward, the Railway Labor Act, investigating and determining grievances, and conducting effective meetings.

“I’m not a steward but I wanted to go to the training to learn more about the grievance procedure. I never thought of it as being that in-depth before the training,” said Ted Hnat, a Teamster activist and mechanic with America West in Phoenix. “I always knew there were a lot of resources within the Teamsters at all the different departments, but having it spelled out with what each one does was great.”

“Our industry is facing many challenges right now, so training like this is important for all the members—not just for the ones receiving it,” said Andy Marshall, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 104.

This program was one of 125 educational programs conducted throughout the United States and Canada by the Teamsters Education Department. The department joins with other Teamster experts to make sure that members, stewards, officers, agents and staff are up-to-the-minute on the issues impacting airline and aviation workers today.