Union Steward (aka
Shop Steward) is the title of an
officialAn official is someone who holds an office in an organisation or government and participates in the exercise of authority .A government official or functionary is an official who is involved in public...
position within the organizational hierarchy of a
labor unionA trade union is an organization of workers who have banded together to achieve common goals in key areas, such as working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labor contracts with employers...
. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that rank-and-file members of the union hold this position voluntarily (through
democraticDemocracy is a system of government in which either the actual governing is carried out by the people governed , or the power to do so is granted by them...
electionAn election is a formal decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold public office. Elections have been the usual mechanism by which modern representative democracy since the 17th century. Elections may fill offices in the legislature, sometimes in the executive and...
by fellow workers or sometimes by
appointmentAppointment may refer to a number of things, including the following:*An appointment is a time reserved for something such as a doctor visit, much like a reservation....
of a higher union body) while maintaining their role as an employee of the firm. As a result, the Union Steward becomes a significant link and conduit of information between the union leadership and rank-and-file workers.
Duties
The duties of a union steward vary according to each labor union's
constitutionA constitution is a set of rules for government—often codified as a written document—that establishes principles of an autonomous political entity. In the case of countries, this term refers specifically to a national constitution defining the fundamental political principles, and establishing the...
al mandate for the position. In general, most union stewards perform the following functions:
- Monitor and enforce the provisions of the collective bargaining
In organized labor, collective bargaining is the method whereby workers organize together to meet, converse, and negotiate upon the work conditions with their employers normally resulting in a written contract setting forth the wages, hours, and other conditions to be observed for a stipulated...
agreement (labor contract) to ensure both the firm and union worker are not violating the terms of the agreement.
- Ensure that the firm is in compliance with all federal, state and local law
Law is a system of rules, usually enforced through a set of institutions. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a primary social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus ticket to trading on derivatives markets...
s and regulationRegulation is "controlling human or societal behaviour by rules or restrictions." Regulation can take many forms: legal restrictions promulgated by a government authority, self-regulation, social regulation , co-regulation and market regulation. One can consider regulation as actions of conduct...
s.
- Represent and defend fellow workers whom the firm believes violated company policy or the terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement, often through the grievance
A grievance is a wrong or hardship suffered, which is the grounds of a complaint.-Union labor:In a labor union, a grievance is the subject of a complaint filed by an employee to be resolved by procedures provided in the union contract...
process.
- Communicate and disseminate official union policy, memos and directives to workers in the shop.
- Popularize and promote union consciousness and values in the workplace.
Collective bargaining agreement sample steward clause
Labor contract between the Service Employees International UnionService Employees International Union is a labor union representing about 1.8 million workers in over 100 occupations in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico...
, Local 767, and Windemere Nursing (source: http://www.seiu767.org/WINDEMERE.pdf):
5.6 Stewards.
(a) The Home agrees to recognize such Union stewards, duly appointed by and acting as agents of the Union, who may receive complaints and process grievances through the grievance procedure. The Union shall provide the Home with a written list of such stewards and alternates, if any.
(b) Union stewards shall be permitted to use a reasonable amount of work time with pay, as approved in advance by the Administrator (which approval will not be unreasonably denied), for the purpose of handling and processing grievances.
(c) The Union steward shall not direct any worker how to perform or not perform his/her work, shall not countermand the order of a supervisor and shall not interfere with the normal operations of the Home or any other worker.
(d) The Home's designated representative shall be required to meet with only one Union steward and/or the Union Chairperson on any grievance.
5.7 Handling of Contract Matters.
The Union Chairperson(s) will be allowed up to four scheduled hours per week (or more if needed) with pay to handle matters under this contract, provided that it does not interfere with patient care or with the operating needs of the Home.
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