15 things Every Shop Steward Should Know  

The Shop Steward     Duties of a shop Steward

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15 things Every Shop Steward Should Know

1) You don't have to be an expert.

2) Figure out where to turn for answers.

3) Knowing how to delegate tasks is your most important skill.

4) If you try to do it all yourself, it won't work.

5) Your job is to empower people. 

6) Ask a lot of questions.

7) Learn how to listen.

8) Don't let management treat you like pond scum. 

9) Never assume that management knows better than you.

10) Pick your fights.

11) Always get back to people.

12) Be organized in your own life.

13)  Be a responsible employee on the job.

14) Maintain a sense of humor.

15) Keep your eyes on the prize.

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The Shop Steward

The union is stronger and negotiates better contracts when members are active and united to address workplace issues. One way to keep informed and active is by becoming a Steward.

A Steward's work can be as involved as the steward has time, ability and desire for. Some Stewards educate new employees on the Union contract and the importance of a strong, active membership. Others represent coworkers in disciplinary meetings, advocate for positive changes at the worksite, investigate possible contract violations, assist with grievances, and register coworkers to vote.  

As a representative of the Union, a Steward should be hard working, fair and set a good example for other members.

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Duties of a Shop Steward

* Keep yourself and the member informed on Union policies, activities, and current events.  Study the labor newspapers and magazines available to you.  Post only authorized Union information on the store bulletin board.

* Attend and encourage attendance at any labor education programs that might be available to you and the members.

*Attend Union meetings and Union affairs and bring the members from your store. Get your store to act as a unit - have them stick together.

* Give the members the satisfaction of listening to their problems; however, do not make any promises or commitments to a member.

* In keeping with the policy of your Union, discourage discrimination and prejudices of any kind. Do not let personal likes and dislikes prejudice your actions as a Shop Steward.

* Inform the members of Union services. Encourage them to take advantage of these services and refer them to the appropriate department at the Union Office.

* You should actively support those approved objectives which are favorable to your Union. You should report the activities of any person or persons which are detrimental to your Union.

* Encourage political action on the part of the members and their membership in support of the Active Ballot Club. Become a member and an active supporter yourself. See to it that members are registered and vote.

* Encourage and support your Union's organizing programs.

* Report items of general interest to the Local.

* Be proud of your position. Remember you are a Shop Steward of your Union with a membership of more than 6,000 which has the full support of hundreds of thousands of members bound together in the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union.

* Remember your objective and goal is to be an effective Shop Steward in your store. Always strive for it. Excellence has no substitute.

* Welcome the new hires. Inform, educate, and help them to become to better members, not just dues-payers.

* Report possible contract violations within the proper time limits to the Union Representative. The Shop Steward should in no way jeopardize their position by trying to arbitrate or solve contract problems between Union members and management.

* Provide employees all necessary forms, such as, Health and Welfare claim forms, Withdrawal Card request forms, Change of Address forms, Grievance forms.

* Advise all members not to submit to a lie detector test.

* Advise all members not to talk to security agents without having a Union Representative present.

* Keep an up-to-date record of employees and their phone numbers.

* Post membership meeting signs and encourage attendance. Remember, membership meeting attendance is not spontaneous and the degree of attendance will be proportionate to your enthusiasm and efforts.

Local 1439 provides training for members who would like to become Stewards. In these training sessions, members learn:

              --> How to investigate grievances. 
              --> How to ensure there is just cause for discipline. 
              --> How to enforce workplace rights. 
              --> How to mobilize their coworkers for collective actions.

If you would like to represent your coworkers by becoming a Steward, please contact your union representative.