Trade Union Representative

The real strength of any trade union is its members. A workplace rep, or Shop Steward, is a union member elected by his/her colleagues who works with the members to represent their interests with management.

As a Union Rep, you are often the face of the union and it is your task to keep members up-to-date on developments and to liaise between your members and your Branch.

In your role as a Union Rep your duties could include the following:

Recruiting and Organising Members

• Knowing who is and is not a member
• Recruiting non-members
• Encouraging existing members to become more involved in the union
• Keeping members informed of what is going on in the union and their workplace

Representing members

• Listening to members’ problems
• Investigating problems fully
• Discussing solutions with management
• Representing members in grievances, disciplinaries and other issues
• Attending meetings with management and reporting back to members

Representing the union

• Shaping and implementing union policy
• Talking to members about these
• Giving out union leaflets and newsletters

If you would like to find out more about becoming a Union Rep contact your Branch Secretary or contact Head Office directly.