A Shop Steward is....

A Problem Solver

When members have a problem, they bring it to their shop steward. Some problems are job related; others are not. The steward helps the member and others who may be affected to identify possible solutions and work for necessary changes.

A Leader

Teamster members look to stewards for knowledge, experience and guidance.

A Communicator

Stewards are the key point of contact between Teamster members and their Union leaders.

An Educator

Teamster stewards help members understand how to use and interpret the contract, participate in unions event and learn about broader issues that affect them their communities.

An Organizer

Stewards help Local Union officials organize members to participate in activities designed to improve conditions on the job and our communities.

These activities may include...

· Welcoming new employees
· Winning and enforcing contract rights and benefits
· Increasing unity among the members' encouraging more workers to join the Teamsters
· Increasing participation in union meetings
· Supporting Teamster legislative campaigns to benefit working people
· Increasing contributions to DRIVE, the Teamsters political action fund in the United States
· Supporting Teamster efforts to build alliances with community organizations on common goals.