by Shannon Carr

CSEA union stewards are the first line of representation for most classified employees and are focused on protecting employee rights, ensuring all are treated equally and fairly, enforcing the contract, educating members and involving coworkers in union programs.

This July, newly jacketed union stewards took center stage to be recognized at the Association’s 96th Annual Conference in Las Vegas.

“Being that it was the first in-person conference in three years, it was very impressive to see all the jacketed stewards assemble on the stage,” said Stanley Saraos Jr., who was one of 177 stewards certified in the 2021-2022 school year.

Saraos Jr. is an electrician with Foothill/DeAnza Chapter 96, has been a union member for 15 years, and serves as chapter president and negotiating committee member. He was inspired to become a union steward because he felt there was a need for “someone to better represent our sisters, brothers and siblings against decisions and actions from management that violate our agreement.”

Two-and-a-half years ago, he and a coworker had concerns with lack of direction from their supervisor with whom asking for additional information, questioning a task for clarification or making suggestions was not an option. This led to forms of harassment and discrimination and created low morale and lack of a voice for workers who feared being labeled as a “problem” or “disruptive worker.”

“The lack of assistance from our chapter president at the time and not feeling represented lit a fire in me to not let this happen to another CSEA member,” he said. “When I finally was introduced to our Labor Relations Representative Jerry Fillingim in 2021, I asked for any and all CSEA training available.”

CSEA’s Union Steward Training Program, which took Saraos Jr. two months to complete, offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes classroom and practical experience to develop the necessary skills for the role. There are three levels of training for members, and a fourth level for stewards who are graduates of the program. Participants must be an active (or active retired) member in good standing in their chapter to participate.

“I do encourage other members to become stewards to increase our strength in the chapter and have more eyes and ears throughout the district,” Saraos Jr. said.

Ramon "Ray" Torres, a maintenance worker with North Monterey County Chapter 6, has been a steward since 2018. He also serves as a regional representative and his chapter’s president.

Torres’ main reason for becoming a union steward was to “lead by example. I have been trying to build my steward program in my chapter.”

Once Torres earned his jacket, he was able to recruit three members who later became jacketed stewards and they, in turn, encouraged two others to do the same.

Erin Banik, a behavior technician with Monterey-JC Crumpton Chapter 93, was certified in 2016. She also serves as chapter president and on the chapter's negotiating committee, and is also the Area C representative on CSEA's Research/Negotiations Committee.

Around 2015, the site representative for her school was about to retire and was stepping down from her duties in the chapter. Banik decided she wanted to become more active, so she stepped into the role.

During a training at CSEA Headquarters, she noticed these “super cool jackets and asked how they got it, and of course it was by becoming a steward. I was already talking with other leadership in my chapter about going through the training. The jacket was a pleasant perk.”

She was impressed by the training she received and encourages all members to participate.

“Even if you are not appointed or elected within your chapter, the training itself is invaluable,” Banik said. “You learn how to read and understand your contract and gain confidence for standing up when the contract is not being followed.”

The Union Steward Training Program is amping up for the 2022-2023 school year. Keep an eye out for emails from your Field Office about how you can sign up and get involved.