Shop Stewards
The most successful unions and locals are those with active, engaged and informed members. Union stewards play a vital role in membership engagement, which is no easy task. Stewards are encouraged to be proactive and inspired in reaching out to members.
Local 30048 Shop Stewards
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Reuben Ha
CHIEF SHOP STEWARD
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Local Executive Team
CHIEF SHOP STEWARDS
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VACANT
SHOP STEWARD
Volunteer as a Steward
Unions begin with you.
When workers unite, they make things better for everyone. That’s why unions were created to stand up together for fair wages, safe workplaces and decent work hours.
Locals form the foundation of the union. The Local is where members connect to the union - it's where we go for help, where we meet to discuss workplace concerns, where we elect representatives and vote on proposed contract settlements.
Want to learn more about your union and how to get involved with Local 30048?
Being an effective Steward
The first step in being an effective communicator is to develop strong listening skills. People who listen command the respect of others.
Effective shop stewards are good communicators, educators and organizers. You bring unique skills, knowledge, abilities and personality to the role, but there are some established attributes and skills to develop.
An effective shop steward gains the confidence and respect of members and the employer through their conduct. Always remember the following:
Be fair. Listen to all points of view carefully. Listen to the members without prejudging them, their views or the situation.
Be connected. Work with members to resolve issues.
Be enthusiastic. Inspire people to become involved in the union and to take a stand on issues that are important to them.
Be courageous. Stand up to the employer when the union’s point of view needs to be heard. Do not be afraid to tell members when their interpretation or understanding is wrong.
Be efficient. Secure all facts and necessary information, and seek justice in a fair and efficient manner.
Be informed. Know your collective agreement, employer policies and procedures, relevant laws and regulations, the PSAC Constitution, regulations and policies, component and local/branch bylaws, and any workplace issues.
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Stop talking. It is impossible to listen when you are talking; instead, actively listen to what a person is saying.
Question what you do not understand; ask anyone you are speaking with whether they have any questions.
Empathize. Put yourself in the other person’s place and try to understand how they feel.
Be objective. Listen with an open mind and do not impose your values or assumptions.
Do not argue. Create space for others to share their values and emotions. When you disagree with a point of view or opinion, respond in a clear and logical manner.
Be assertive when the union perspective or policies are being ignored or challenged.
Identify the issues that most resonate with your membership and use them as entry points to engagement in the local/branch.
Manage criticism. Many members are positive about their union, others are indifferent and some may be very negative. Listen to the complaints, point out the positive elements and invite critics to help to make things better. When members persist in being negative, do not dwell on it. Rather, focus on the positive work being done.
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Shop stewards provide information, context and direction to individual members and to the membership as a whole. Shop stewards must be informed about union activities and initiatives, and must keep current by attending union training.
Share information about the collective agreement, component or local/branch bylaws, the PSAC Constitution, policies and regulations, and employer policies and regulations.
Help members interpret, understand and apply the collective agreement.
Explain what your component or local/branch is doing on an issue and why.
Provide union literature, information and resources to members.
Respect members’ experience; education is a two-way process in which shop stewards and members learn from each others’ knowledge, experience and strengths.
Promote the union, its benefits and the gains it has achieved.
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Be visible. Members need to know you and how to reach you. Determine the best way to be visible in your local/branch, such as posting information on the union bulletin board, handing out business cards and/or doing regular walkabouts in the workplace.
Welcome new hires to the workplace and their union, and provide an orientation to the union. Some collective agreements have provisions for this to be done on employer time.
Invite members to union meetings, training sessions, activities, rallies and conferences, while respecting their comfort level with participation.
Focus on workers who pay dues but have not signed up to be part of the union (known as “Rands” after the Rand Formula). Explain to them the benefits of full participation in their union, including in elections and decision making. Also, work to sign up any members who are not in good standing.
Organize around workplace issues and topics that motivate members.
Consult the membership. Be democratic and inclusive, and create space for everyone to support or participate in local/branch initiatives.
Your actions as a shop steward speak volumes. Remember you are the face of the union in the workplace. How you conduct yourself reflects on the union as a whole.
• Always act with honesty and integrity.
• Respect members’ right to privacy.
• Avoid gossip.
• Do not take sides in conflicts between members; you represent all members.
• Be a champion for the duty of fair representation and the duty to accommodate.
• Know your facts before you speak. When you are uncertain, get the right information before replying to a question.
• Reflect on your strengths and in what areas you need to get stronger.
• Seek education, training, mentorship and support from the local/branch executive, chief shop steward, others in the component or PSAC regional office staff