Frequently asked questions about the duties of a shop steward
On this page, you can find information on things such as what is a shop steward, who can act as a shop steward and what duties and rights a shop steward has.
What is a shop steward?
A shop steward is a member of the Industrial Union elected by the employees to represent them at their workplace. Shop stewards act as negotiators, mediators and communicators in matters between employees and employers.
Why should a workplace have a shop steward?
Terms of employment are better at workplaces that have a shop steward. A shop steward helps ensure that the employees’ rights are upheld, collective agreements are followed and the employees’ voices are heard in workplace decision-making.
What does a shop steward do?
A shop steward helps employees with matters related to their employment, negotiates with the employer, provides information in the workplace and monitors compliance with the collective agreement, employment contracts and labour legislation.
What are the most important duties of a shop steward?
Shop stewards’ duties include the following:
– Acting as negotiators, mediators and communicators in matters between employees and employers
– Monitoring compliance with the collective agreement and labour legislation
– Representing employees in negotiations and improving their terms of employment through local negotiations and agreements
– Helping employees with employment-related matters
– Involving employees in workplace decision-making
– Providing information about the activities of the local branch and the union
– Holding discussions on recruiting members and strengthening unionisation
– Promoting industrial peace and the development of the workplace
What kinds of shop steward positions are there?
A workplace can elect a chief shop steward, a deputy chief shop steward, a department shop steward or a shop steward for multiple sites, among others. The structure of the shop steward organisation depends on the size and needs of the workplace.
Who can become a shop steward?
Any member of the Industrial Union who works at the workplace in question and is willing to represent their coworkers can become a shop steward. You do not have to be a full-fledged expert to take on the role.
What kind of a person does well as a shop steward?
Any ordinary employee who wants to have a say in workplace matters, listens to their coworkers and is willing to learn new things can act as a shop steward. The most important qualities are interpersonal skills, the ability to cooperate and a willingness to help others.
What are the rights of a shop steward?
A shop steward holds the position based on collective agreements and the law. To carry out their duties, shop stewards have broader access to information, the right to receive training and the opportunity to use their working hours to fulfil their responsibilities as a shop steward in accordance with the collective agreement. An employee serving as a shop steward also cannot be dismissed from their job because of their position as shop steward.
What kind of compensation does a shop steward receive?
Shop stewards are paid compensation in accordance with the collective agreement for carrying out their duties. In addition, the Industrial Union trains shop stewards for their roles. These training sessions are an important part of developing a shop steward’s skills.
Who supports the shop steward?
Shop stewards are not alone. They are supported by their coworkers at the workplace, the local branch, other union representatives as well as the Industrial Union’s experts, training and networks.
Why does a shop steward recruit new members?
Shop stewards hold discussions on recruiting new members and encourage employees to join the Industrial Union. The larger share of a workplace’s employees belong to a union, the stronger the employees’ collective voice and their ability to influence their own terms of employment
Why should I participate in shop steward elections?
Because the shop steward is your representative at the workplace. By participating, you help determine who will promote employees’ shared interests in the coming years.
Where should I report the election of a shop steward?
The union is notified of the shop steward elections through the eService for shop stewards. Before the notification of new elections is made, it is particularly important that the elected shop stewards check and, if necessary, update their own contact information through eService.
Log in to the service at the top of the Federation of Finnish Industries website or at this link. Log in to the service using strong authentication. The notification forms can be found under Forms – Notification of shop stewards at the establishment. Make sure that all mandatory information is entered on the form (marked with a red star).
The form is signed electronically via the Visma Sign system by the employer’s representative, the chief shop steward and the deputy chief shop steward. The signature link will be sent to the email addresses of the persons indicated in the form and the code required for signing will be sent to their mobile phones.
So be particularly careful when entering email addresses and telephone numbers on the form. Once everyone has signed the form, it will be transferred to the Federation of Finnish Industries’ shop steward register for storage.
If you have any questions, please contact your regional center. Contact information can be found here.