Training

What Are the Duties and Responsibilities of a Shop Steward?

Shop stewards walk a thin line between what management wants and what the labor force within the company needs. Ultimately, their first priority its collective bargaining members. The duties of a shop steward include:

• Taking advantage of training programs designed to fully educate shop stewards in what they can and cannot do.
• Understanding the union policies, company policies, and the collective bargaining agreement.
• Serving as a facilitator and mediator between management and union members.
• Enforcing the contract between the union and the employer.
• Being available to hear grievances by employees and working with the employer toresolve them.
• Writing up, filing, and investigating an employee’s grievance.
• Maintaining files and records.
• Organizing, leading, or assisting in collective bargaining meetings. This includes preparing the meeting’s agenda.
• Being knowledgeable about Robert’s Rules of Order when conducting meetings.
• Staying current on knowledge and skills by attending conferences and seminars.
• Holding monthly shop meetings for members to update them on any union issues and developments affecting the collective bargaining unit.
• Alerting union leaders of any issues, problems, or developments within the collective bargaining unit.
• Recruiting and welcoming new members to the union.
• Greeting new employees, helping them get organized in their new position, and encouraging them to join the union or participate in union activities.

Contact your Union representative for the next workshop.