Legal Definitions - steward

A steward is an individual entrusted with the responsibility of managing affairs, overseeing property, or representing the interests of another person, group, or organization. This role often involves a duty of care and accountability for the assets or responsibilities placed under their charge.

• General Application: In a broader sense, a steward acts as a manager or caretaker, handling specific duties or assets on behalf of an absent or delegating party.
  • Example 1: A wealthy philanthropist, planning to be abroad for several months, appoints a trusted financial advisor to act as the steward of their charitable foundation. This advisor is given the authority to oversee investments, approve grant disbursements, and ensure the foundation's operations continue smoothly in the philanthropist's absence.

    Explanation: The financial advisor is acting as a steward because they are entrusted with managing the foundation's assets and operations on behalf of the philanthropist, fulfilling a delegated responsibility with a duty of care.

• Labor Relations Context: In the context of labor law and unions, a steward (often called a union steward or shop steward) is an elected or appointed representative of union members within a workplace. Their primary role is to advocate for employees' rights, ensure the employer complies with the collective bargaining agreement, and help resolve workplace disputes.
  • Example 2: Employees at a manufacturing plant believe that a new production quota set by management violates a clause in their union contract regarding reasonable workload expectations. They approach their union steward, who then gathers information from the affected employees, reviews the collective bargaining agreement, and initiates discussions with management to address the perceived violation and protect the workers' interests.

    Explanation: The union steward in this scenario is acting as a designated representative for the union members, overseeing the employer's adherence to the contract and advocating for the employees' rights, which is a specific legal application of the term in labor relations.

  • Example 3: During a company-wide meeting, an employee is disciplined for an alleged policy infraction. Feeling unfairly targeted, the employee requests that their shop steward be present during the disciplinary hearing. The steward attends to ensure the company follows proper procedures outlined in the union contract and to provide support and advocacy for the employee.

    Explanation: Here, the shop steward is fulfilling their role as an employee representative, ensuring that the employer adheres to the agreed-upon terms and processes during a disciplinary action, thereby safeguarding the employee's rights under the collective bargaining agreement.