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MAPE Chief Steward Duties

MAPE Chief Steward Duties (Approved by the Board of Directors 3-24-06)

The following duties of a Chief Steward were developed by the MAPE Employee Rights Committee to give Chief Stewards guidance in pursuit of their role within the union.


A MAPE Chief Steward:

  • Has taken or will be taking advanced steward training in one of the next two offerings after election to chief steward.
  • Ensures that all those represented by MAPE have equal and complete access to all rights in contract, law and tradition.
  • Is a role model:
    • You represent the best and brightest of the union. Conduct yourself accordingly. Take pride in, and do your state job well. Do not give the employer any reason to limit your activities as an advocate.
    • Provides leadership, organizes and motivates the membership:
  • Be a leader in your Region and Local. Keep members and stewards informed. Bevisible at the worksite. Be a strong and clear voice for the union. Encourage others to become more active.
  • Coordinates grievances in the local/region, assists stewards with grievance handling, and advances steward training:
    • Know the contract and grievance procedure. Track grievances and keep records on their status. Be readily available for questions on grievance issues, grievance status and follow up quickly with answers. Maintain contact with business agent(s) assigned to your region/locals/agencies. Maintain close contact with stewards and review their progress on grievances. Make sure that business agents and stewards know you mustreceive copies of all grievances filed and be kept informed of their status. Hold weekly, biweekly or monthly meetings if necessary. Take every opportunity to train or provide training for your stewards. Match new stewards with experienced stewards. Arrange for new stewards to accompany experienced stewards and business agents to grievance hearings.
  • Recruits new Stewards
  • Files grievances when appropriate:
    • As chief steward, it is not your responsibility to file or handle every grievance.
  • Monitors issues in the Region:
    • Keep your eyes and ears open for issues that affect the membership. Responding quickly to issues builds member confidence in you and the union.
  • Attends and reports at local union meetings:
    • Attend every local meeting possible. Make sure the agenda includes a report from the chief steward. Take this opportunity to update the membership on important issues that are being addressed through the grievance process. Stress the successful resolution of grievances. Introduce other stewards in attendance. Express pride in, and publicly recognize individual stewards for their work and successes. For example, take the opportunity at meetings to present certificates of training to stewards who have completed courses.
  • Attends Employee Rights Committee (ERC) meetings
    • Your voice is important at ERC meetings. This committee of chief stewards hears grievant appeals of the Arbitration Team's decision to not take a grievance to Arbitration. The ERC decides whether to accept the Arbitration Team’s recommendation to drop class action grievances. The ERC also sets policy and provides direction on issues related to the contract, grievances and grievance handling.
  • Other roles; the chief steward:
    • Is a proponent of stewards within the union.
    • Prepares a budget for steward meetings and training for each local within your region.
    • Keeps locals informed.
    • Coordinates with the regional director and local officers.
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