A federal grant will develop green jobs in health care; two city grants will train individuals to advance in health care careers, specifically in South Los Angeles.

The Worker Education & Resource Center (WERC), the non-profit organization created in partnership by SEIU 721 and the County of Los Angeles to provide training opportunities to LA County Department of Health Services employees, is poised to receive a total of $1.2 million in funding from three grants this spring.

The Member Leadership Development Program in partnership with Los Angeles Trade Tech College Labor Center is working to provided Steward Leaders with the opportunity to earn an AA Degree or Certificate in Labor studies. Stewards who complete courses with the Labor Center can be fully reimbursed for courses taken. Classes are available online, week days, and weekends. Please enroll by mail, on site, or online at www.lattc.edu.

Advances Grievance Handling Training:
This training is designed for stewards who are handling advanced level grievances. Steward will learn how to prepare for a case and gather evidence. Stewards will receive information on Discrimination, Skelly hearings and contractual issues, and gain the necessary skills to represent members during hearings.

Building Political Power:
This training is designed to educate stewards on how politics impacts our jobs & communities. Stewards learn their role in building political power and how to educate and active your co-workers around politics.

Organizing 101:
This training is designed to help stewards organize their worksite. Stewards will learn the process for organizing, how to uses worksite issues to activate the membership through one-on-one communication and worksite meetings.

Public Speaking:
This training is designed to prepare steward on how to deliver a speech, the process for developing a speech and how to formulate a solid speech structure.

New Steward Orientation:
This training is designed for new stewards to gain an understanding on what their role is as a steward, their rights, and responsibilities. During the training stewards will get an overview of the history of the Labor movement and the history of the Service Employees International Union.  Stewards are able to explore the different aspects of the of the work-site leader. As well as the pressures and opportunities involved in service as a steward. Stewards leave empowered and are equipped with the necessary tools to activate their worksite.

Grievance Handling Training:
This training is designed for stewards' to gain a basic knowledge of their contact and what it covers. Stewards learn how their grievance procedure works and the steps involved in processed a grievance. Stewards learn how to evaluate and screen problems to determine which ones are grievances under the contract. Stewards also gain tips on how one-on-one communication and problems solving can be used as tools when handling grievances.

Effective Labor Management Training:
This training is designed for stewards to get an understanding of the intent and purpose of Labor Management meetings. Stewards leave the training with a full understanding of their role in Labor Management, how to designate topics to address, and what is needed to prepare for a successful meeting.

Family Medical Leave Act Training:
Stewards learn the basic rules and regulation under FMLA. Stewards gain an understanding on what topics and/or issues should be addressed under FMLA. Stewards learn how to evaluate and screen problems to determine which ones are FMLA.

The next time you're putting together a worksite meeting with your co-workers, following this easy mnemonic device to cover all your bases: ROAR!

"I really enjoyed hearing each others' stories. Learning from other people about their experiences and what they had to deal with; their supervisors and their administration. It gave me an idea that if anything should happen in my neck of the woods, at least I know how to deal with it in the most effective way. I think, unfortunately, a lot of people act out of emotion instead of thinking things out and then going upon doing it. It was very educational. You learn how people think from different departments."
Len Curiel, Intermediate Typist Clerk, Steward, Metro Special LA County DPSS

Sometimes you might feel like you're the only one amongst your workers that doesn't know what a bargaining unit is.  Don't get lost in the jargon. Here's a labor glossary to get you up to speed!

I participated in the leadership program as a trainer. One thing I learned about myself was that I can speak in front of people; that I have more confidence that I thought I had. Having shared experiences with other workers and providing practical advice are definitely confidence boosters.

Federal and state laws guarantee your right to take time off when you're ill or when you need to care for a sick relative. These laws also guarantee your right to take a leave from work during pregnancy, childbirth, and adoption. Some important facts to know about these rights:

It's hard enough asking people for money or for a simple favor like a ride home, so asking people to participate in a rally or to attend a union meeting might seem daunting. Well it's not. It's just like asking people to come to your birthday party - just ask!

Do you have a huge work issue that might involve hundreds if not thousands of co-workers? Well, in case you want to demonstrate some real solidarity in mass numbers, here are seven steps to planning your next demonstration.

A U.S. Supreme Court decision somewhat similar to Weingarten occurred in 1985, with the case of Cleveland Board of Education v. Loudermill. This decision established what have come to be called "Loudermill Rights" for public employees.

It is important that, as stewards, you use every issue at the worksite to organize your co-workers.  The following suggestions deal with how to build successful group actions when faced with an issue that impacts the members at your worksite. Remember, ORGANIZING around issues helps to build SOLIDARITY and UNITY at your worksite!

In the case of Garrity v. New Jersey, the U.S. Supreme Court determined that public employees could not be forced, under clear threat of discipline, to violate the principles of compulsory self-incrimination.