Just as IATSE Local # 470 Stewards have responsibilities and considerations to the Union and its’ Membership, the Union and its’ Membership have responsibilities and considerations to our Stewards as well.
Stewards are human beings who are expected to lead by example and encourage the advancement of the Union. This responsibility can be incredibly challenging. Therefore, be it understood that Stewards should have a basic right to the following:
To Give and Receive Constructive Criticism
Stewards can not improve their own performance unless given
helpful direction. Stewards can not help improve the Union unless they
can offer helpful direction.
To an Abuse-Free Work Environment
Because of its very nature, a Union Steward’s job may involve
confrontation. A Steward is often required to make difficult decisions
which will not please everyone. Just because someone is unhappy with a
decision, this does not give that individual the right to make any
attacks against the Steward. The membership has other avenues of
procedure put into practice by their Union, which they can follow if
they are upset by the decision made.
To Be Treated By Management as an Equal When Performing Union Work
Under the National Labor Relations Act, Stewards and Union Officers
have a protected legal status. This means when engaged in
representational activities, they are considered to be at equal status
with management. The Management-Union Representative relationship is a
relationship between company advocates on one side and Union advocates
on the other side, engaged as equal opposing parties in litigation.
To Exercise Judgment in a Situation
Rare is the situation where the facts point to a clear cut,
unimpeachable decision. Stewards have a right to make their decision
based on their best interpretation of the situation, and should not
have to suffer endless second-guessing by others.
© IATSE Local 470 2012