How to Be an Effective Union Representative

An effective union representative can communicate and collaborate.

An effective labor union representative is accountable to members, who rely on their representatives to be their advocates. Union representatives need to build alliances with employers' representatives as well. Although labor and management relations generally are considered to be on opposite sides of the table, cooperation between the parties will result in productive employer-employee relationships.

Instructions

1. Review your job description and familiarize yourself with your labor union's expectations. Ask your labor union office supervisor for clarification of any duties and responsibilities that are unclear. If you are new to the labor union, your supervisor might be a senior union organizer, a business agent or an officer within the labor union. Meet with your supervisor immediately upon reporting to work on your first day to review the purpose of your role and how best to accomplish your job duties. Periodically review your duties and new challenges that arise during your career. Always engage in candid feedback with your supervisor about your performance.

2. Read your labor union's current and past constitutions and bylaws. If your labor union office does not have copies of historical constitutions and bylaws, access them through the U.S. Department of Labor's Public Disclosure Room of the Office of Labor Management Standards.

3. Study the National Labor Relations Act. Learn how the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) functions and reviews employers' and employees' legal rights. Contact a representative of the NLRB if you have questions about the act. Compare your job duties and expectations to the rights protected under the act. Review NLRB forms, such as petitions for representation cases and forms you may need to file concerning unfair labor practices.

4. Obtain a copy of the collective bargaining agreements for bargaining units to which you are assigned. Additionally, note contracts coming up for expiration and renewal. Conduct extensive reviews of the collective bargaining agreements to become comfortable with contract interpretation. Gain the credibility of your union members through understanding contract terms and conditions. Note any portions of the agreements that you do not understand as well as clauses you believe should be up for negotiation upon contract renewal.

5. Research the company that employs the labor union members you represent. Access the company's historical information and obtain copies of news and magazine articles about the company. If you are new to the industry, access online resources to improve your knowledge base. For example, if you are a labor union representative for health care industry employees, check out books from your public library and access online resources about specific health care careers.

6. Establish professional and cordial relationships with employer representatives. This enables you to work collaboratively on potentially adversarial matters. Conduct business with employer representatives in a manner that demonstrates your commitment to forging a professional relationship that benefits the labor union and, to some extent, management.

7. Ask your supervisor from the labor union office to accompany you to your first meeting with labor union members to whom you provide guidance and representation. If you are a union steward and work within the company, prepare an introduction for your first union meeting. Summarize your work experience and rehearse a brief statement about your commitment to solidarity and organized labor.

8. Schedule one-on-one meetings with union members to discuss current workplace issues. If you are meeting with employees who have pending grievances or are preparing for arbitration, review their files to learn more about the circumstances leading to their grievance filing or the updated status of arbitration proceedings.

9. Stay up to date on labor law, legal cases and impending legislation that affects organized labor, labor conditions, employment trends and fair employment practices through proactive measures. Proactive measures include subscribing to professional journals, creating professional networks, completing continuing education coursework on relevant topics and participating in conferences and seminars for labor union representatives.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition: Human Resources, Training, and Labor Relations Managers and Specialists
• U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS)
• Personnel Today; Being a Union Rep Can Seriously Damage Your Career Prospects; Rob Willock; January 2007
• National Labor Relations Board: Rights We Protect
• AFL-CIO: Organizing Institute: Three-Day Training
• Nolo: Types of Union Work Situations

Resources

• Society for Human Resource Management
• National Labor Relations Board: National Labor Relations Act
• Iowa State Education Association: Faculty Rights and Responsibilities
• Service Employees International Union: About SEIU
• Union Jobs Clearinghouse: Staffing Positions