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Union Steward (aka Shop Steward) is the title of an official position within the organizational hierarchy of a labor union. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that rank-and-file members of the union hold this position voluntarily (through democratic election by fellow workers or sometimes by appointment of a higher union body) while maintaining their role as an employee of the firm. As a result, the Union Steward becomes a significant link and conduit of information between the union leadership and rank-and-file workers.

The duties of a union steward vary according to each labor union's constitutional mandate for the position. In general, most union stewards perform the following functions:

• Monitor and enforce the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement (labor contract) to ensure both the firm and union worker are not violating the terms of the agreement.
• Ensure that the firm is in compliance with all federal, state and local laws and regulations.
• Represent and defend fellow workers whom the firm believes violated company policy or the terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement, often through the grievance process.
• Communicate and disseminate official union policy, memos and directives to workers in the shop.
• Popularize and promote union consciousness and values in the workplace.

Labor contract between the Service Employees International Union, Local 767, and Windemere Nursing (source: http://www.seiu767.org/WINDEMERE.pdf):

5.6 Stewards.

(a) The Home agrees to recognize such Union stewards, duly appointed by and acting as agents of the Union, who may receive complaints and process grievances through the grievance procedure. The Union shall provide the Home with a written list of such stewards and alternates, if any.

(b) Union stewards shall be permitted to use a reasonable amount of work time with pay, as approved in advance by the Administrator (which approval will not be unreasonably denied), for the purpose of handling and processing grievances.

(c) The Union steward shall not direct any worker how to perform or not perform his/her work, shall not countermand the order of a supervisor and shall not interfere with the normal operations of the Home or any other worker.

(d) The Home's designated representative shall be required to meet with only one Union steward and/or the Union Chairperson on any grievance.

5.7 Handling of Contract Matters.

The Union Chairperson(s) will be allowed up to four scheduled hours per week (or more if needed) with pay to handle matters under this contract, provided that it does not interfere with patient care or with the operating needs of the Home.

---THIS ARTICLE IS DISPUTED as the people have no power to pick their Union Steward/Representative. Union Presidents have Executive Power and pick their Union Stewards. The people are not permitted to petition to replace their Union Appointed Steward nor are they granted an election to elect one. This is a pending Complaint with the Federal Labor Relations Authority and they side with the Union. The FLRA states people do not pick their Representatives/Shop Stewards. According to the FLRA, Federal Law only permits Americans to pick their Unions...not their local Representatives.

-Reference FLRA CASE- SF-CO-07-0549. ---

The FLRA was created with the powers to investigate 5 U.S. Code Section 7116 Unfair Labor Practices complaints. Under Section 7116 (B) 8, that section includes 5 U.S. Code Section 7114 (5) A.....which states, that the people pick their representatives in Federal Labor Relations and also give them the power to use attorneys instead of forced labor union agreements chosen by only 10% of the workforce. The FLRA states that Section 7114 is not in their jurisdiction and that Federal Employees must instead appeal to the Department of Labor Management Standards. www.dol.gov/esa/regs/compliance/olms/enforcement_1.htm

Thus per current Federal interpretation of the law according to FLRA Case SF-CO-07-0549, a Union President can pick anyone they wish to be a Union Steward even if every single Federal Employee is against that person representing them. The FLRA also further stated that Federal Employees are not entitled to Section 7114 (5a) regulation and are not entitled to pick an attorney to represent them and are restricted to being only represented by the Union President Appointed Union Steward.

Democracy?

• The Legal Rights of Union Stewards
• The Union Steward's Complete Guide, 2nd edition

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