Teamster Stewards are the backbone of the Union and the first line of defense against management. Shop stewards monitor and enforce the Contract. They advocate for their Teamster sisters and brothers by investigating workplace issues and bringing concerns and formal grievances to management’s attention. Teamster stewards are leaders who wear many hats and play a critical role in building the strength of our members.

Stewards' Rights 

As a Teamster Shop Steward, your job is to represent your members, police the contract, file grievances, solve problems, monitor safety, oppose harassment, and organize members. A steward's position is not easy. Management often views union activity as disrespect or even insubordination. To protect yourself, you will need to know your rights and obligations.

Stewards' Manual 

The official Teamster guide for stewards. Since 1978, the Teamsters have produced a Stewards Manual to help our stewards assume this role of worksite leader and advocate for Teamster members and their families. Each section is devoted to helping stewards build knowledge and skills like information gathering, membership advocacy, workplace rights, grievance and arbitration.

Handling Grievances

The vehicle to enforce most contracts and protect the rights of workers in the workplace is the grievance procedure. The grievance procedure is perhaps the most valuable and commonly used section of the contract, and it is our responsibility to use it as effectively as possible.

1. Tips on Resolving Potential Grievances: Sometimes it may be best to informally resolve an issue before grieving it. 
   
   
2. Tips for Writing Grievances: Writing an effective grievance is the first step to winning and the foundation for your case. Avoid common mistakes with these Teamster Grievance Writing Tips.
   
   
3. The Six W’s of Grievance Handling: Whether it’s a contract violation or a discipline case, there are six questions to ask for every grievance.
   
   
4. Shop Stewards Tips on Disciplinary Grievances: Stewards are the members' first line of defense.
   
   
5. Using 'Just Cause' to Fight Unfair Discipline: Understanding 'Just Cause' can help protect Teamsters from discipline or discharge.
   
   
6. The 'Just Cause' Checklist: Use this helpful checklist to determine if management has 'just cause' in a discipline case.
   
   
7. Investigating Grievances: Having the right information can make or break your grievance. If you don’t have your facts straight, management can shoot down your case.
   
   
8. Presenting or Settling the Grievance: Once you have fully investigated the case and decided it should be grieved, prepare yourself and the grievant to give the best possible presentation to management.
   
   
9. Using Information Requests to Win Grievances: Using our union’s legal right to file information requests from management can help stewards defend members and enforce the contract.
   
   
10. 9.5 List Sign-Up Form for January & June: Use this form to have every eligible driver in your center sign up to be on or off the 9.5 list from January 15 to June 15 and from June 15 to October 15. This form is due to management on January 5 and June 5.