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Print copy of  A Shop Stewards Bill of Rights

A Shop Stewards Bill of Rights

Shop Stewards are sometimes so busy working to protect a co-worker’s rights that they forget they have rights themselves. 

Introduce yourself as the Steward and people will have all kinds of contradictory expectations about what you are and what you should do. 

Some co-workers will expect you to save them in all situations. Management will expect you to be a thorn in their side at the very least. Your union reps will expect you to be the first line of defense for your co-workers. 

With all these expectations whirling about, just what are your rights? 

Sure you have legal rights that are important to know, but more important are your basic rights as a human being who was elected, chosen, or drafted, to take on an incredibly challenging role. 

Here’s our version of a Stewards ‘Bill of Rights’. Its neither a final authority on the subject nor is it a legal document.   

The Steward has the right ...

...to be treated as an equal by management when doing union work.

...to exercise his or her best judgment in a situation. 

...to make a mistake or not have an immediate solution to a problem. 

...to an abuse-free environment. 

...to ask others to help with union business. 

...to give and receive constructive criticism. 

...to training about his or her roles and responsibilities. 

...to thanks for a job well done. 

...to fight for these rights!