Preparing for Office
After the shop steward gets elected, the chosen candidate's first duty is preparing for the office. The shop steward is the point of contact between company management and the collective bargaining unit members. Almost all labor organizations offer training programs for shop stewards, and an effective shop steward takes advantage of them.
Handling Grievances
The shop steward must have a complete understanding of the collective bargaining agreement under which the employees work. The shop steward acts as a first responder when an employee files a grievance with the union, under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement. The shop steward attempts to resolve the dispute with management.
Disseminating Policy
Not only does a shop steward help resolve issues between management and labor, but he also acts as the labor organization’s local representative. Among a steward's duties is letting union members know about any union news and policies. Therefore, the shop steward must familiarize himself with this information to ensure that he accurately answers questions from members.
Providing Information
A shop steward provides information to union leadership regarding new developments and issues within the collective bargaining unit and at the company. The shop steward also provides information and news from union leadership to union members, often through bulletin board postings and union meetings.
Organizing Meetings
A shop steward also organizes the meetings of the local collective bargaining unit. The shop steward is required to prepare the meeting agenda and conduct the meeting accordingly. This requires familiarity with both union parliamentary requirements and Robert’s Rules of Order, the standard for parliamentary procedure.
Welcoming New Employees
A shop steward is often the first union representative that a new employee meets. The shop steward is expected to recruit and welcome new union members. One of the steward's duties is to encourage employees to participate fully in union activities. During new employee orientation, a shop steward explains the relationship between the local collective bargaining unit and management and ensures the new employee understands applicable union policies.