Shop stewards are an integral part of any Local. Whether it is voicing the membership’s interests in a labour-management meeting or sitting in on a grievance, stewards have the power to transform a collective agreement from a mere piece of paper into a living protection of the rights of fellow members in the workplace.

Roles of a Shop Steward:

• Represent and protect workers
• Know and monitor the contract
• Problem solve on the job
• Attend union meetings
• Handle grievances
• Be the link between workers and management
• Meet and greet new members
• Organize internally
• Keep members informed
• Be a good listener
• Be an effective communicator
• Be aware of job openings
• Combat anti-union feelings
• Attend educational classes

What is a Grievance?

When a member comes to you with a problem, you have to determine what it is you are dealing with. Is it a grievance or a complaint that needs to be handled another way? Ask yourself:

• Does it violate a provision in the collective agreement?
• Is it a wrong interpretation of the collective agreement?
• Does it violate a provincial or federal law?
• Does it violate a past practice?
• Does it violate worker or union rights?

If the problem doesn’t fit one of these criteria, then it is a complaint rather than a grievance, which may require some other union action or involvement.