“Being a shop steward, it is important to know that the leadership role you have taken on can help give value to the work of others as you negotiate on behalf of employees. The reward? It is that good feeling that comes from serving the membership!”

Anita Sterling, Local 111 | Donut Line, BIMBO BAKERIES USA, Fort Worth, Texas, 19 years

“It is important to me that I can go home every day after work and know that I’ve helped someone. As a steward, I am able to give a voice to coworkers who may be afraid to use their own voices to communicate any issues or day-to-day problems without the fear of being penalized. It makes us all feel like a stronger team.”

Omar Angel, Local 6, Quality Technician, Danone North America, Bridgeton, N.J., 5 years

“These are a few of many things that are important to me as a union steward: To build a strong union in the workplace, to listen to the concerns of workers, investigate incidents and find solutions. The best part of being a union steward is to be able to represent and serve as a mediator between management and union members.”

Sandra Leon, Local 83, See’s Candies, Carson, Calif., 20 years

"Since we joined the union in my workplace, my co-workers and I have better working conditions, respect, and above all better wages and benefits. As a steward, I am able to explain these benefits and defend our rights in the plant."

Luis Molinero, Local 1, Lifeway Foods, Chicago, Ill., 3 years

"As a shop steward for many years, I enjoy helping workers enforce the union contract and understand their union rights and, most important, why we need the union now and in the future."

Marvin Womack, Local 317T, ITG Brands, Manufacturing Department Machine Tech, Greensborro, N.C., 20 years

“To me it is an honor to serve as a shop steward, making sure my union brothers and sisters know that their contractual rights and their safety are always being looked out for. To me it is important to know someone has your back and you are not alone.”

Iris Miller, Local 68 | Lane Attendant, Thomas’ English Muffin Bakery (BIMBO BAKERIES USA), Frederick, Md., 13 years

“The most important part of being a steward, to me, is protecting the rights of the members and teaching new stewards the ropes.”

Jim Cleaves, Local 334, Warehouse B&M, Portland, Maine, 35 years

“My job as a shop steward is challenging and demanding but can also sometimes be rewarding. We must make sure that the collective agreement is well respected for the well-being of all workers.”

Jean-Claude Defoy, Local 261T | Lift Operator, Rothmans, Benson & Hedges Inc., Quebec City, Quebec, 10 years