There is nothing worse than giving out incorrect information. A steward can rush to get an answer back to the member and not take time to do the proper research or ask the right question of the local union officer. Take time to get the accurate answer and then get back to the member with it. There is often the temptation to drop the subject when the answer is not the one that is favorable to the member. A member has a right to the correct answer even if it is not the one they want to hear.

Listed below are some of the tools or references that a steward should have or have access to. Most of these sources will enable the steward and member to process any grievance.

• Contract, side agreements, supplements to the agreement
• Copies of employer rules, regulations, and policies.
• Disciplinary rules and procedures.
• Local by-laws; International Constitution.
• Grievance forms with instructions on how to file it and deadlines.
• Copies of appropriate labor laws such as state statutes, National Labor Relations Act, Railway Labor Act, Workers' Compensation statutes and updated amendments, OSHA, and various federal statutes prohibiting employment discrimination such as the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Membership cards for new members and COPE cards.
• Dues check-off forms.
• Union pamphlets and publications, such as the local newsletter and TWU Express for new members.
• Seniority list for unit, department, and/or craft.
• Job descriptions for department (this sometimes appears in the contract).
• Membership list of all members under his/her jurisdiction. The steward should update this regularly with address and phone number changes for the local union.
• Reference sources within the TWU such as a list of international departments, local and international website URLs, list of all local union officers with contact information, local committees such as EAP, and dates of membership meetings and grievance committee meetings.
• Personal grievance file and log.
• Safety and health information.
• Access to company personnel records in order to research and process grievances.
• Access to union records such as previous grievances filed, past practices, arbitration and/or system board decisions.
• List of community resources for supplemental membership assistance.

This list is by no means comprehensive but it should give the steward an idea of the wealth of information out there to assist him/her in doing their job well.

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