Page 9 - UFCW Union Steward Handbook

THE UFCW AND THE ROLE OF THE UNION

l Job security and seniority rights

l Workplace safety and training
l Protection from unfair treatment and favoritism by management
l Paid vacations, sick or family leave, paid holidays, personal days and
other benefits

l Grievance procedures
Negotiating fair contracts requires that we stay united and work
with our community allies, consumers and other unions to build the
strength to force management to do the right thing.

Once we have an agreement, we enforce it by making sure that
management follows the contract. The contract defines our rights and
sets limitations for management.

By organizing members to work together, stewards can solve problems
on the job and address contract enforcement issues. This may include
filing grievances and taking collective action.
Political and community action (local and national)
We work with other organizations and elected officials to bring about
social and economic justice in our worksites and communities. We
elect representatives who support working people and lobby for
legislation that benefits our communities.

We establish long-term relationships with other organizations to work
toward common goals. When it comes to political elections, we educate
people about the issues at stake and evaluate candidates based on their
commitment to working people’s concerns.
Often, we go as a group to lobby local, state and national representatives.
Many of the laws that protect and expand people’s rights have been won
by the labor movement and our allies. Sometimes, we hold candidate
forums and town hall meetings so that our elected representatives can
hear directly from union members.
As a steward, you can help by:
l Connecting our union with other organizations you belong to.
l Learning more about community and political issues facing working
people.

UFCW UNION STEWARD HANDBOOK 7