What is a Union Steward

A Union Steward is the representative of the Union in their workgroup, and the representative of their co-workers in the Union leadership, and at meetings with management. A steward should ensure their work group is informed about bargaining, employment issues, contract rights, changes and decisions that effect them, and policies and procedures related to questions and complaints in the workplace. If they don’t know the answer, they will know who to call. They are the facilitators of informed democracy in the workplace.

Union stewards may also serve as Occupational Health & Safety Campus Committee members, or on other management-union committees. They may specialize in benefits, accommodation and human rights, grievance handling, communications and campaigns, bargaining, mobilizing or any other activity that improves the lives of the workers at Seneca and within our communities.

Training and Support Provided. No Experience Necessary. All Skills Welcome.

How to Become a Union Steward

Steward Nomination Form

We need Part Time union stewards fast! If you are willing to be a steward, or wish to nominate one of your co-workers, complete form and send it to opseu561@gmail.com, or bring it to the Union Office at Newnham.

Part-Time Stewards nominated prior to March 4, 2018, will also be eligible to be nominated to attend the first provincial meeting of Part-Time union leaders from all colleges, to be held March 24th and 25th. Each College Local will be sending two representatives, one regular PT and one student PT worker, and from those 48 delegates, a Bargaining Team will be elected.

Stewards are elected by Work Areas, or Units. Small campuses tend to be a single unit, and larger campuses are broken down geographically. A complete list of Work Areas is on the attached Nomination Form. Each Work Area is entitled to a minimum of one steward. We prefer more in larger groups or where there are multiple shifts.

Usually, stewards elections are held in our Local during the Fall, every two years. In Oct/Nov, 2018, we will (re)elect stewards, and then officer elections are done by polling stations, usually in December. However, we have always allowed interim nominations where needed.