What is a Shop Steward?

A Shop Steward is a union member elected or appointed to represent fellow employees in the workplace. They serve as the primary link between workers, union leadership, and management.

 

Responsiblities of a Shop Steward:

• Representing employees: Assist members with workplace issues, disciplinary meetings, grievances, and contract disputes.
• Enforcing the collective bargaining agreement (CBA): Help ensure the employer follows the terms of the union contract, including wages, hours, benefits, scheduling, and working conditions.
• Filing and handling grievances: Investigate complaints, gather facts, prepare grievance paperwork, and represent employees through the grievance process.
• Communicating with members: Keep coworkers informed about union meetings, contract negotiations, policy changes, and workplace developments.
• Educating employees: Explain workers’ rights under the union contract, labor laws, and employer policies.
• Monitoring workplace conditions: Identify potential contract violations, safety concerns, or unfair treatment and bring them to management or union leadership.
• Attending meetings: Participate in labor-management meetings, steward meetings, and union training sessions.
• Supporting contract negotiations: Gather member concerns and feedback to help inform bargaining priorities.

 

MOU References to the Shop Steward:

Grievance Presentation

Employees shall have the right to present their own grievance or do so through their Union representative (Shop Stewards) or Union staff. Grievances may also be presented by a group of employees or by the Union.

Representational Time-Off 

The City shall allow Shop Stewards, as needed, reasonable time off without loss of compensation or other benefits while formally meeting and conferring with representatives of the City on matters within the scope of representation as defined in the Government Code, or as may be required under Article VII, Grievance Procedure.

Union Access to Work Locations During Working Hours:

Shop Stewards, pursuant to Article One Section V-B, shall be given access to work locations during working hours to conduct Union grievances, to conduct investigations in connection with Union grievances, and to observe working conditions in connection with Union grievances, so long as it is not unreasonably disruptive of normal working processes.

Personnel Files:

Shop Stewards with written consent of the employee, shall be entitled to review all of their existing personnel folders upon request.

 

How do I become a Shop Steward?

Any employee can become a Stewards by being elected from and by the members in each designated subdivision in which they work. The President may also appoint this Stewards.

 

Chief Shop Steward:

Our Current Chief Shop Steward is Eric Woodbey. If you have an questions about Shop Stewards, please reach out to him at chiefsteward@iamlongbeach.org.

 

List of current Shop Stewards: