Workplace stewards are the heart of our trade union. UNISON’s stewards are the reason we win campaigns that result in better lives for our members and all working people. Stewards help to organise your colleagues into an effective, strong and welcoming membership. They:

• Are the first point of contact for members in a workplace
• Talk to members about the union
• Talk to staff about their issues
• Offer advice on issues at work
• Represent members in cases (including at disciplinary and grievance hearings).
• Campaign for better working conditions
• Recruit and organise new members
• Encourage more members to get active in UNISON
• Raise your members’ issues with the branch.

Stewards in workplaces where UNISON is recognised by the employer have rights to time off for training and to carry out their work. Stewards have a right to be involved in how their branch is run and are the most important link between the members and the union. UNISON aims to have at least one steward in each workplace and department, more in larger departments and where members work shifts. Stewards are elected each year by the group of members that they represent and the post is open to job share.