WHAT IS A UNION STEWARD?

Stewards are you or a co-worker.  A Union Steward is both an employee and a Union Representative.  You have employment rights, not only through laws, but also through your collective bargaining agreement.  A union steward helps you understand those rights.  Their primary role is to communicate with you and your co-workers.   

A Union Steward is a Communicator, Organizer, Representative, and Leader. They make themselves available to answer questions and assist employees with Union issues in the workplace.  Stewards are also problem solvers. 

Local Stewards build the Union by helping workers empower themselves. They encourage involvement so that the Local Union can demonstrate strength and solidarity in order to bargain better contracts and make positive changes for workers.

Some AFSCME locals appoint stewards while in other locals they are elected by the membership.  AFSCME Council 5 provides training for stewards.  If you have any interest in becoming a steward or know a co-workers that would make a good Union Representative, contact your local President or Chief Steward.

Steward documents (from AFSCME Steward Manual):

LEGAL RIGHTS:

• Representing members in Investigatory Meetings
• Weingarten Rights
• Veteran's Preference
• Loudermill
• Garrity Warning
• Tennessen Warning
• What is an Investigatory Interview
  • Steward's Role During an Investigatory Interview (1-3):
    1) Represent and Provide Advice
    2) Be an Advocate for the Employee During the Investigation
    3) Monitor the Employer's Investigation

GRIEVANCES:

• How to Write a Grievance
• Grievance Procedure: Points to Remember
• Grievance Preparation: Points to Remember
• Just Cause at a Glance
• Steward's Rights to Information

DUTY OF FAIR REPRESENTATION:

• Understanding Duty of Fair Representation
• DFR Checklist

MOBILIZATION:

• What are Workplace Actions?
• Checklist for choosing an issue
• Tactics for Workplace Actions

FORMS:

• Grievance Fact sheet
• Electronic Grievance Form NEW!
• Grievance Form
• Release for Personnel File
• Information Request
• Local Appeal Form
• TSS Related Grievance Form

For steward and other training schedules, click here to visit our Training page.