SHOP STEWARD
Shop Stewards are the backbone of Teamsters Local 986. Stewards are the key to building a strong, democratic labor movement. Throughout the history of this Local Union, Stewards have provided the vital link between the elected officers and officials and the members of every industry represented by Local 986.
Stewards are working Members who represent the Members at their particular terminal or place of employment. They are elected by their respective Membership or appointed in accordance with the rules and regulations contained herein. They are advocates for their brothers and sisters in the workplace and, consequently, they must be accessible to the Members they represent. They are expected to act fairly and impartially and, by example, represent the highest principles of the Trade Union Movement.
The duties of Stewards at their particular terminal or place of employment are:
- To educate Members about the terms and conditions of their collective bargaining agreement and answer questions about the collective bargaining agreement.
- To enforce the collective bargaining agreement with the Employer.
- To require that Members adhere to the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement.
- To monitor the use of casual employees and new hires and to report to the Union hiring practices that are not in accord with the rules and regulations of the Union and the collective bargaining agreement.
- To work directly with their Business Agent regarding all grievances and disputes, including the investigation and presentation of grievances and the direct representation of Members who are subject to discipline or discharge. When a Member refers a complaint or grievance to his/her Steward, he/she shall accompany that Member into the office for adjustment. If the parties fail to adjust the complaint or grievance, it shall be reduced to writing and referred to the assigned Business Agent. Copies of the written grievance shall be retained by both the Steward and Member.
- To post all official communications from the Union and/or from the assigned Business Agent on the appropriate Union Bulletin Board.
- To report to Members the activities of the Union --- General Membership Meetings, Steward Meetings, Seminars, Craft Meetings, Elections, Political Action Programs, etc.
- To advise Members of the services and opportunities provided by the Union, specifically those which come directly from the collective bargaining agreement and those that come from the Union ---- Health and Welfare and Pension benefits, Retiree Benefits, Dues Check-Off, Sick Benefits, Life Insurance, Teamster Scholarships, etc.
- To advise Members of their obligations to the Union ---- Payment of monthly dues, observance of authorized picket lines, service to the Union in accord with the Picketing/Organizing/Assessment Resolution, etc.
- To endeavor at all times to create favorable conditions and to maintain harmonious co-worker relationships, but, when not possible, to resolve differences or disputes between or among Members.
- To at all times conduct himself/herself in such a manner as to set a good example for the Members they represent and all Members of the Union.
Honor Accorded Stewards - Limitations of Authority
Stewards serve the interests of the Members at their particular terminal or place of employment. They deserve the prestige and dignity of their calling. The honor and authority granted to them, however, must be exercised judiciously. Abuse of power is not a prerogative of Stewards. They must not act in their own interests first. They must not enter into private agreements with the Employer. They must respect the democratic rights of the Members they represent. They must not exceed the authority granted to them by the Union. Stewards have no authority to take strike action, or any other action not set forth in these Steward Bylaws or in the Local 986 Bylaws, or any other action interrupting the business of their Employer, except as specifically authorized by official action of the Local Union.