ONA stewards are the lifeblood of what makes our union strong. A strong union has at least one steward for every unit and shift. Stewards are there to answer colleague’s questions and discuss concerns and help keep every nurse up to date on important
union activities.
We offer multiple trainings throughout the year, focusing on representing your coworkers, problem-solving workplace issues, welcoming new members to their union, and building our union's overall power to make improvements for nurses.
See below for a list of training topics and dates to become a union steward and/or develop your skills to build a stronger union, as well as descriptions of each training course available.
Training Dates & Registration
Click on the training title link to register for the training. Each training is limited, so register early to reserve your spot.
Virtual Introductory Steward Training
Grievance Training*
Power Building Training*
* This training builds on concepts presented during the Introductory Steward Training. To attend, you must have already completed an introductory steward training.
Introductory Steward Training
Learn what it takes to become a union steward! We will be teaching the basics of:
- Knowing your union rights
- Representing a co-worker
- Filing and processing a grievance
- How to find important items in your contract
- How to make our union stronger!
A strong union has at least one steward for every unit and shift. Members can go to them with questions and concerns and they in turn keep members in the know about important union activities.
ONA Grievance Training
This training builds on concepts
presented during the Introductory Steward Training and as such, we
require attendees to have completed a steward training prior to
participating in this training session.
Learn the fundamental skills needed to successfully enforce your contract:
- Learn how the grievance procedure works
- How to write and file grievances
- How to read and interpreting contract language
- Learn about your right to request information
- How to conduct investigations
- Practice presenting a winning argument
- When to “Organize” around a grievance
The ability to enforce the contract through grievances and problem solving ensures that a union member’s rights are respected. Confidence when confronting management allows for issues to be resolved before they have a chance to grow into larger problems.
ONA Building Worksite Power
This training builds on concepts
presented during the Introductory Steward Training and as such, we
require attendees to have completed a steward training prior to
participating in this training session.
Learn how to organize your coworkers to support and win on issues of unfairness. This training covers:
- Learn how to evaluate smart issues to organize around
- Identifying a goal? (High Ground)
- How to pick tactics and strategy
- Access co-worker strength and participation
- How to put a timeline to actions
- The importance of delegation
When an unfair work issue is not addressed by the contract or when the grievance procedure will take to long for a fair outcome, collective action within a worksite can be powerful and swift way to win the issue.
Learn how to harness your right to collective action in order to expedite a fair outcome while reinforcing the power of collective action within your union or worksite while having a little fun.
