Time to elect shop stewards

New shop stewards are elec­ted in Novem­ber and Decem­ber for a two-year term. The duties of the shop steward include moni­to­ring and ensu­ring that collec­tive agree­ments and labour legis­la­tion are followed. They also see to it that indi­vi­dual work cont­racts and other regu­la­tions concer­ning work are observed.

Shop stewards repre­sent the union in the workplace. They nego­tiate, make agree­ments and settle dispu­tes when neces­sary. And they help union members in all matters concer­ning terms of work. Confi­den­tia­lity is always a key part of this.

Repre­sen­ting staff is an impor­tant task, and for this reason shop stewards are elec­ted by ballot. Every member of the Industrial Union at the workplace has the right to put them­sel­ves forward as a candi­date and of course to vote.

A deputy shop steward is also elec­ted in the same elec­tions. In bigger workplaces there can also be branch shop stewards. Their task is limi­ted to a speci­fic part or branch of the company.

Shop stewards can use their working time to carry out these duties. In compa­nies with more than 400 emplo­yees the shop steward works on a full-time basis. A shop steward can be elec­ted even if the number of emplo­yees is small.

The shop steward is the most impor­tant advocate of emplo­yees at the workplace and the key person regar­ding orga­ni­sing and members­hip recruitment.

The local union branch orga­ni­ses the elec­tions at the workplace. If there is only one candi­date, he or she is duly elec­ted. If there is more than one candi­date, a ballot will be held.

Defen­ding workers’ rights in the workplace may lead to difficult situa­tions should conflicts arise. For this reason Finnish legis­la­tion and collec­tive agree­ments stipu­late that shop stewards are protec­ted against unfair dismissal.

CONCRETE HELP

Without shop stewards the union would be unable to closely follow every­day life at workplaces, accor­ding to the Industrial Union orga­ni­sa­tion specia­list Ville-Petteri Risberg.

– The shop steward is the most impor­tant advocate of emplo­yees at the workplace and the key person regar­ding orga­ni­sing and members­hip recruit­ment. As a shop steward one can influence things at the workplace and help collea­gues in a conc­rete way, he said.

In cases where there is not yet a shop steward at the workplace, it is good to gather the people toget­her and discuss who should be elec­ted. It is easier to take care of emplo­yees’ inte­rests if there is someone with official status.

Shop stewards are invol­ved in the deve­lop­ment projects of the company. They work to see that the views of staff are given serious consi­de­ra­tion when the long­term plans of deve­lo­ping the company and other deci­sions that affect work are being made. The union orga­ni­ses trai­ning to help them to do their job as well as possible. Union staff also offer assis­tance to shop stewards in carrying out their duties.

Down­load mate­rial in English: www.teollisuusliitto.fi/shop-steward-elections