What are Stewards?
Stewards are vital for enforcing our collective agreement and building worker power! The role of a shop steward is to help to educate members, share information, mobilize support during contract negotiations and other initiatives, enforce the collective agreement in the workplace, and solve workplace issues. With more training and experience, Stewards can also represent members during meetings with the employer and be involved in the grievance process. Stewards are supported in this role by the Chief Steward and fellow stewards, who meet on a regular basis.
BECOME A CUPE 3261 UNION STEWARD
NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN IN THE FOLLOWING WORKPLACES/DEPARTMENTS:
Full-Time Part-Time Unit:
- Six (6) Stewards for St. George Caretaking Evening Shift (Facilities & Services) – Click here to see the areas/map for each steward
- One (1) Steward for St. George Caretaking Day Shift (Facilities & Services)
- One (1) Steward for Campus One Food Services
- One (1) Steward for Sidney Smith Food Services
- One (1) Steward for UTM Afternoon Shift
- One (1) Steward for UTSC Morning Shift
- Two (2) Casual Stewards for Hart House
- Any casual member from any department is welcome to run for a steward position (i.e., Catering, Gallery Grill, Kitchen/Cafeteria, Staging)
- Two (2) Casual Stewards for UTM
- Any casual member from any department is welcome to run for a steward position (i.e., RAWC, Grounds, Maintenance, Vet Tech, etc.)
Nominations are open from Jan 20, 2025 to Feb 3, 2025.
Stewards are vital for enforcing our new collective agreement and continuing to build worker power. No experience is required – only a desire to fight for justice and respect for you and your coworkers. Interested? Have a colleague nominate you today! New stewards will be trained and supported in this role. Stewards meet at least every two months, and serve two-year terms.
The role of a steward is as follows:
- Enforce the collective agreement
- Help solve workplace issues
- Educate members about the collective agreement, about the union’s role in the workplace – and about other important social issues
- Ensure good communication between the members and the executive
- Mobilize support during contract negotiations and other initiatives
- Stand up as a strong ally with members from equity-seeking groups
- Mediate conflicts between members
- Investigate, write, and file grievances on behalf of members
- Represent members during disciplinary meetings with management
HOW TO NOMINATE A SHOP STEWARD
Shop Stewards must be nominated by a fellow coworker in your workplace. Nominate a coworker by filling out the form below (or click here) or send an email to president@cupe3261.ca with the name, classification, and workplace of both yourself and the member that you are nominating in your workplace. Any member who has completed probation is eligible to be a shop steward.
As per our Local’s bylaws, if any position is uncontested and the member accepts the nomination, they will be appointed to the position by the executive for a 2 year term. If the position is contested, and the nominees accept the nomination, an election will be held.