For King County Members

What is a Shop Steward?

Your shop steward is the person you should talk to if you have a concern regarding your work environment. They are able to help you identify problems (or potential problems) and can work with management to help resolve them. When necessary, they will help you file a grievance if the terms of our contract have been violated.

A shop steward can also help protect you if you are faced with a disciplinary process. If you are required to attend a meeting or interview with supervisory staff you should immediately request that a shop steward be present. This is your right as a union member and management cannot deny this right. This is known as your Weingarten right. You do not have a right to union representation at meetings to discuss performance evaluations, work schedule changes, or safety unless you believe such a meeting will result in discipline. Your steward will listen and ask appropriate questions to help you. Other actions, as are appropriate will follow.

A shop steward has some very specific legal rights and protections to help you in working with management. They can request information and discuss issues with management on an equal level without fear of retaliation. Your steward has received training in their rights and protections and is familiar with the terms of your contract to be able to answer questions. The steward will also keep your Union representative informed of situations you bring to their attention. This allows the Union representative to more efficiently assist all Local 17 members.

Your shop stewards are listed on the left side of this page. If you are interested in knowing more about what a shop steward does, contact Susan Weisberg at 684-1879. Or, consider attending Shop Steward training. Local 17 conducts training periodically for new stewards and as a refresher for current stewards.

When will we file a grievance?

Local 17 takes grievances very seriously. We believe, in a professional workplace, many issues can be resolved without filing a grievance. Many times an open, frank discussion of a situation is all that is required to come to an understanding.

Unfortunately, there are times when a grievance is called for. Your shop steward can help identify the contract issues and frame the written grievance. Your shop steward may call upon the Union representative to assist in the issue, depending on its severity.