The Shop Steward is the Heart of the Union

It has been written many times that the Steward is the Heart of the Union. The skills of Stewards can greatly strengthen the Union itself as well as the general tone of labor relations with management. The Steward is the central component of the Union - Member relationship as illustrated in the following example;

Points to Remember

· Enforcement of the contract depends on the Steward:

· The Steward is the link between members and Union,

· Members often judge the Union by their Steward. If the Steward is fair, and looks out for their interests, they will respect and support the Union;

· The Steward keeps members informed about the Union, and keeps the Union leadership informed about the workplace.How To Be An Effective Shop Steward

· The following can serve as a helpful checklist for Shop Stewards new and old; consider it a partial job description.

Know your contract.

· When dealing with management, remember that you are the elected or appointed representative of your fellow members. Never consider yourself to be other than equal to management representatives.

· Serve as an example to your members. 

· Keep the members informed of Union policies and activities.

· Attend Union meetings and Union affairs.

· Do not hesitate or stall. If you do not know, admit that you do not know, than try and get the answers.· Get your local to act as a Union, have them stick together.

· Act as a leader; do not let personal likes or dislikes prejudice your actions as a grievance representative.

· Fight discrimination, whether it be overt or very discreet. Discourage prejudice of any kind.

· Keep accurate and up-to-date records. Write it down.· Do not promise if you cannot deliver.

· Investigate every grievance as if it were your own. Keep the member informed. Make sure you keep your deadlines. There is no excuse for missing a time limit. Research every grievance as if it were going to arbitration but try to resolve it at the lowest possible level.

· Become active politically. Encourage members to exercise their right to vote, and to vote for · Labor friendly candidates.· Inform the membership of Union services. Encourage them to take advantage of the services the Union provides.

· Fight, whenever you meet it, the anti-Union element. You can do this by being informed and being dedicated to the union movement.

· Know how to refer to the Union contract, by-laws and Constitution.

· Keep your fellow employees informed regarding the sources of your information. Give pertinent information when a member asks for it.

· Meet any new members early, inform them, educate them, help them become members; make them more than dues payers.

· Be proud of your position. Keep in mind that a Steward isn't expected to know all the answers, but must be the type of person who enjoys finding them. Don't be afraid to ask questions and keep asking them.

If you have questions or problems, don't be afraid to use the phone or visit an experienced Steward or Officer. Become known as someone who asks when you don't know, rather than someone who tries to bluff or hide.

Remember your goal is to be the best Shop Steward you can be. Always strive for this goal. Excellence has no substitute Advice to New Stewards No matter what you’ve ever done in life, there was a first time for it. Sometimes it came easy – like eating your first ice cream cone. Other times it wasn’t so easy – like, perhaps, surviving your first few days as a union steward.

A steward’s initial days are critically important. You have to demonstrate to the membership that you can get the job done and you have to make your co-workers comfortable coming to you to resolve work-related issues. At the same time, your fellow embers are watching you and probably testing you. You’re under close study by everyone.

Establish Your Position Don’t’ keep it a secret that you’re the new steward. Don’t be boastful or smug about it, but let your brothers and sisters know, and make it clear you’re there to help and expect them to come to you when problems come up. 

You don’t want your members bypassing you by going directly to the LRC, to another steward or to a higher union officer. If it’s something you can’t handle, you can always seek advice from others in the leadership.

Don’t’ assume that the membership will automatically respect your abilities. Respect must be earned by showing that you will apply your skills and knowledge of the contract to represent all the members to the best of your ability.

Boost the Union When new casuals are added they are given “orientation” from the PMA that doesn’t mention a single word about the history or the role of the union.

Not realizing the long struggle that into winning the wages, benefits and conditions that currently exist, many of these new casuals will walk away believed that all the good stuff comes from the goodness of the employer’s heart.

Get to those future members early. Even if they are casuals, a friendly piece of advice and support and a little history of the workplace – and the role of the union – will be long remembered and appreciated.

Represent the Rank and Files Always treat the members with respect and dignity. Work with them. This approach is a sign of empowerment and the strength of the union as a group. Remember to say “we,” not “I.” 

The word “they” is always reserved for the employer, not the local union or the international. If you truly believe that the union is the collective force of the membership, not simply a servicing center for dues-payers, then these terms should be second-nature.

Always tell the truth. Sometimes you will have to say no to a demand that you “do something,” and then try to convince the member that you are right. Be able to explain the reason for your decision and have some alternative strategy for the member if the situation merits it.

Avoid Playing Favorites. Keep favoritism out of the procedure. Don’t let your personal feeling about a member cloud the way you represent him or her.

When one group of members is pitted against another, everyone loses. Fair representation is a basic principle of unionism because:

1. It is right, the law requires it, and the members are right to expect it.

2. It works to the benefit of all.

3. When it is missing, or someone thinks that it is missing, there are likely to be legal difficulties for the union and its officers. Time and money spent on legal defense would be better spent in building the union.