Page 31 - UFCW Union Steward Handbook

STEWARD’S LEGAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Steward’s Legal Rights and Responsibilities

Our legal rights as union stewards are protected by our contract and by labor law
(under the National Labor Relations Act—the NLRA). Rights under the contract are
enforced through the grievance and arbitration process and rights under the NLRA
are enforced through arbitration and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
Legal Protections for Stewards
The goal of this section is to build your confidence and knowledge
about workers’ and stewards’ rights under the law. Being an effective
steward does not require you to be a legal expert. Over time, and with
the help of your union representative, you’ll become more comfortable
using legal strategies to organize for change.

When you act in your capacity as a union steward, you step out of your
role as a worker and become an official union representative. This gives
you legal protections when interacting with management.
Equality rule
When you approach management as a steward, you do so as an equal.
This means you have the right to openly disagree, question, and argue
with management when necessary without being disciplined. Labor law
recognizes that a steward cannot effectively represent workers unless
they are able to freely communicate with management as equals.

No retaliation or discrimination
Labor law and your contract prohibit management from disciplining
or intimidating you because of your activity as a steward. For example,
management cannot deny you promotions or other benefits, assign
you extra work or undesirable jobs, or act in other ways that attempt to
discourage you from doing your job as a steward.

Equal standard rule
It is also illegal and a violation of the contract for management to hold
you to a higher standard than other workers or to harass you with
extra supervision or stricter rules. As a steward, you should expect
co-workers to look to you as an example—and you can protect yourself

UFCW UNION STEWARD HANDBOOK 29