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SEIU 521 Union Steward Training Modules

2025 Training Sessions

Whether you want to learn more about your union rights, are a brand new Steward, thinking of becoming a Steward, or are one of our veteran Stewards, our online Steward training modules are a great start or refresher. If you are a Union Steward or are interested in becoming a Union Steward you can sign up for the different training modules by selecting the training you are interested in joining. Click here to view module descriptions. You may also auto-scroll to Frequently Asked Questions by clicking here.

2025 Online Steward Training Modules Registration

** NEW** Member Training 101:

For members and non-members to learn more about our Union (from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.)

Core Training Modules:

Advanced Training Modules:

Training Module Descriptions

Member Training 101

For members and non-members to learn more about our Union

  • What is a Union and Who is SEIU
  • History of our unions
  • What power looks like
  • Conversations to Build power

Core Training Modules:

Module 1: Union Power and the Legal Rights of Stewards

  • What is a union and what makes a union powerful
  • The role of a steward in the workplace as a union representative
  • The legal protections provided for being a union steward

Module 2: Weingarten and Discipline Rights

  • Workers’ right to a steward (“Weingarten Rights”) when being investigated
  • Discipline rights ranging from written reprimands to proposed and finalized disciplinary actions
  • The steward’s role in representing workers facing discipline

Module 3: Building Union Power in the Workplace

  • How to assess and build union support in your workplace
  • How to get other co-workers involved 
  • How to convince non-members to join our union

Module 4: Problem-Solving Worksite Issues

  • When and how to use your contract to get workplace issues resolved
  • How to have the “informal” first step conversation with management that starts the grievance process
  • Introduction to Meet and Confer
  • Introduction to Labor Management Committees

Advanced Training Modules:

Leveraging Union Power: When to Talk, When to Fight

  • How to “fight;” organizing a strategic plan 
  • Techniques for problem-solving and meeting with the boss 
  • Creating strategic planning for the “fight.”

Meet and Confer 

  • Understanding the legal process for meet and confer 
  • How to initiate a meet and confer 
  • Timeliness of meet and confer

Reasonable Accommodations, Interactive Process, and FMLA

  • Introduction to Reasonable Accommodations for Disabilities 
  • Permanent versus temporary accommodations 
  • FMLA
  • Interactive Process

Labor-Management Committee (LMC)

  • Understanding the basics of LMC 
  • What issues to bring to LMC 
  • How to conduct an LMC

Case Exposure/Networking space

  • This module is open for all stewards to attend and bring any cases they want to review or to gain more exposure and learn from other examples of cases. 
  • Space to network with other stewards.

NEW! Leadership

  • What is Leadership/Steward
  • What are styles of Leadership
  • How we gain followers and credibility

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  1. I’m not sure I want to become a union steward, is it ok to take these trainings first and then decide?
    • Absolutely! We believe these trainings are beneficial whether you become a steward or not. And if you decide you do want to become a steward, we are happy to assist
  2. Is it ok to take the trainings out of order?
    • Yes! You are welcome to take the trainings in a manner that works for your schedule.
  3. Is it ok to re-take trainings that I previously attended?
    • Absolutely. Take them as many times as you want—we’re always updating the content based on feedback.
  4. I’m not a union member, can I take these?
    • Yes! And we hope through this experience you will see the importance of being a member in your union and join us!
  5. I’m from a different union. Can I take these? Pretty please?
    • These trainings are very specific to our union, our labor laws, and our workers. We encourage you to speak with your own union about what trainings they can provide.