Role of a Union Representative
Union representatives perform several basic and interrelated functions on behalf of union members. They represent the interests of their local union members in larger union functions, as well as in meetings with employers. They act as mediators during conflicts, and are responsible for ensuring the smooth flow of information between union members, employers and the larger union organization.
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Representative
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A union representative is a union member who has chosen to represent the other union members within their defined unit. In some unions, this may be a department; in others, it may be a district, or another defined boundary set by the union. It is a union representative's job to get to know each and every member in their unit so that they can be represented to the utmost fairness of a union representative's abilities.
Mediator
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In the event that a union member and the employer for which they work have a disagreement, it is a union representative's responsibility to investigate. This is especially true if the situation escalates to a formal grievance. The union and employer have a mutually agreed upon procedure for grievances, but a union representative should try to determine whether or not adequate grounds for a grievance exist before one is filed. In the event that a grievance is deemed necessary, it is a union representative's job to sit in on behalf of the union member filing the grievance in all dealings with the employer.
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Advocate
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Union representatives play an active role in discussions with the regional and sometimes national unions. They represent the interests of their unit at meetings. When contracts with employers are under negotiations, union representatives often work long hours hashing out the exact details of each contract.
Distributor of Information
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Union representatives are the first to find out information from the union. As such, it is their role to disseminate that information to union members within their units. Many employers with unions have special union bulletin boards reserved for the purpose of posting union-related notices. Sometimes, however, that may not be enough. Good union representatives communicate with union members to keep them informed of new developments by any means necessary. This can include phone calls, face-to-face meetings and e-mails.
Considerations
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Since positions as union representatives are often not paid, individuals considering a role as a union representative must have a strong desire to advocate for union members' rights. Depending on the union, representatives may be required to spend long hours traveling and doing union-related tasks on top of their employment responsibilities.
Additionally, 92 percent of union representatives polled by Personnel Today in 2007 felt that their overall careers may have been adversely affected by their positions as union representatives. Due to the sometimes stormy divide between union and employer interests, union representatives may sometimes feel as though they are seen as enemies by their employers. Individual union representative experience will vary depending on situation.
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References
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