Your first call when something goes wrong

Your supervisor asks to meet without telling you why.

You’re told to do something that doesn’t feel right.

You have a question about your collective agreement.

Who do you call? Your shop steward.

Shop stewards are experienced union members who volunteer to support other members. They’re trained to understand your collective agreement, answer questions and help you with workplace issues.  They work where you work and they’re an important link between you and your union.

You’re not alone

A good shop steward starts by listening. They’ll ask questions to understand what happened, listen carefully, take notes and gather facts. They’ll explain your rights under the collective agreement and help you understand your options.

If an issue can be resolved quickly, they’ll help you work toward a solution. If it can’t, they’ll connect you with your local president or file a grievance at step 1.

Details matter

Dates. Times. Who was there. What was said. These things become important when something goes wrong at work. That’s why you’ll see shop stewards writing things down. Good notes make sure important details aren’t forgotten and help your union understand what happened. When things need to be escalated, those notes support your case as legal evidence.

In your corner

Shop stewards do more than help when something goes wrong. They answer questions about the collective agreement, share union news and information and help members understand their rights and responsibilities. Most importantly, they make sure members know they don’t have to face workplace problems alone.

Thinking about becoming a shop steward?

Strong unions depend on members who are willing to step up. If you’re a good listener, care about fairness and want to help your co-workers, becoming a shop steward is one of the best ways to make a difference. Get in touch with your local president and let them know you’re interested in shop steward training.