Tuesday, April 4, 2023

Bigger (and Better) Than the Sum of Our Parts

CLAC’s 2023 Ontario Stewards Conference brought hundreds of members, representatives, and other staff together to support our grassroots leaders in being the best they can be

By Roberta Vriesema, Representative

At the 2023 Ontario Stewards Conference, held on Friday, March 31, and Saturday, April 1, in Niagara Falls, those in attendance were taught many amazing things that deserve to be shared.

CLAC’s stewards bring an energy, commitment, and depth of compassion and knowledge to the work they do on our members’ behalf. This conference is a great way to bring these workplace leaders together in one space where they can encourage each other, brainstorm ideas, and highlight areas that CLAC can explore to continue our work of representing our members in deeper and greater ways.

Here are a few of the words and phrases frequently heard over the course of the event:

“Work with.” This means working with individual members, working with colleagues, working with the stewardship team, working with representatives, and of course, working with CLAC. In every instance, we work to represent, advocate, support, challenge, develop, create, and get the best settlement possible. These key words were repeated over and over again during our two days in Niagara Falls, driving home that what we do and how we do it is innovative when compared to other unions. It is a method that is wanted and proven to drive success. It is the core of CLAC.

“Understand.” This was mentioned in tandem with “work with” and qualifies what that means. Working with does not mean an assumption of agreement, an alignment of goals and values, or automatic acceptance of the perceived stronger position. Rather, in sharing stories of working with management, working with a grievance, or working with each other at the labour relations table, it was made clear that the purpose is to build understanding and not act on assumptions. Success can only be achieved by first drilling down to gain understanding.

It was also clear that undergoing this process of understanding doesn’t automatically result in mutual satisfaction, but the end results are better for it. Some stories that were shared in our discussions highlighted that the most frustrating times were when understanding was not achieved. In these situations, it led to the perception that the end result was less than it could have been.

“Self.” If you have a negative reaction to this word and associate it with selfishness, try to set that aside for a moment. The stewards at the event recognized that part of the process of understanding a situation requires some deeper level of understanding of themselves. Whether it was an understanding of their own past experiences, their limits and knowing when to ask for help, or when a firm boundary needs to be drawn, it was clear that an awareness of self is a strong factor in success. The time spent getting to know oneself is not a distraction from good representation but a means to building better representation.

Our workplace experiences range from working alone, to on the road, to work in massive facilities with many moving parts and expectations. Understanding how we fit into a group and its overall purpose—or being aware of how we don’t—feeds into how successful we feel about the work that we complete.

The strongest message heard at the conference? That each and every one of our stewards does their work focused on you, our members.

Your union is tens of thousands of members coming together to work with you. Together we seek to understand what each individual member needs. Our stewards and representatives work with each other to bring forward passionate, purposeful, and driven representation and advocacy on your behalf—but more importantly, with you.

For a selection of photos snapped at the event, check out our gallery below.

Vendor Village

A peek at one of Saturday's healthcare-focused sessions.

Healthcare session

Jason Dykstra

CLAC representative Ruth Ann Ferguson (centre) is seen pictured with Local 304 stewards Rhianna Soule and Karen Greenhalgh who received their 10-year and five-year recognitions, respectively.

Local 303 steward Margie Hamelin was presented with her 25-year recognition certificate for her work at Revera Inc.’s Sumac Lodge location in Sarnia, Ontario. (Seen here with Trish Douma, Ontario regional director.)

Local 303 steward Kalloway Manary from Fiddicks Nursing Home Limited.

Representative Mary Ellen Alward with Cheryl Smith, Candace Brooker, and Cathy Jones, Local 303 stewards at Revera Inc.'s Village on the Ridge.

Representative Ruth Ann Ferguson presents Local 304 steward Donna Smith with her 10-year anniversary certificate.

Group shot of those who participated in the

Local 304 stewards Flor de Maria Dominguez and Stephanie Price, both employed at Roberta Place in Barrie, take a moment to pose for the cameras.

Great looks from Brenda Scott, Heather Schertzinger, and Donna Smith, Local 304 stewards at Aurora Resthaven.

Aurora Stewards - Ontario Stewards Conference 2023

Bigger (and Better) Than the Sum of Our Parts

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