Thursday, May 2, 2024 CLAC Stewards: A Partner Near You Whatever role stewards play in your workplace, know that they are there for you to lean on when you need it Blogs Newsletters National By Kristine Cavey, Manager, CLAC Jobs West Your union steward. What do they do anyway? Chances are you know them. Perhaps you voted for them. Sometimes known as a union rep or shop steward, you may see them as a colleague, listening ear, or on-site support for all things work related. They are among your teammates, working with you. But did you know that they’re also working for you? An integral part of your workplace community, your steward is a fellow employee in your workplace who has said yes to a great responsibility: representing you and your coworkers from within the workplace. They are the on-site connection between your work, your union, and your employer. On their shoulders, stewards carry the responsibility of fostering a positive and purposeful workplace community grounded on trust. That’s why the theme of this year’s recently concluded Prairie Stewards Conference (PSC) was Building Trust. It was not two weeks ago that CLAC hosted its 2024 PSC, wherein stewards from all over Canada’s prairie provinces gathered for three days to receive training, refresh vision, and realign objectives. It was here that I recently had the privilege of shaking hands and speaking with many of these power players. My purpose at the PSC was to educate stewards on the various service offerings provided by the CLAC Jobs Team, for which I am the manager for western Canada. I listened to multiple stories and concerns as it related to finding employment. And while I was there to provide training and support for stewards, I found myself inspired by who they showed themselves to be. Your stewards truly care. For construction workers, they know the struggles you face when finishing a project and working yourself out of a job. They can relate to the anxiety that comes with not knowing what’s next. And, perhaps most importantly, they are driven to help you succeed, looking to set you up for success in your current role as well as the next. Throughout the conference, stewards showed up so they could show up for you. They were ready to learn and absorb new information, equipping themselves with the best ways to partner with and support you and your coworkers. Some were eager students, taking notes in steward binders they carried around from seminar to seminar. They learned the skills they need to be effective in the various roles that they play in your workplace. What are some of those roles? 6 Hats That Stewards Wear Leader – They help build healthy relationships between employees and management. Advocate – They defend their fellow workers when mistakes have been made by supervisors and management. Communicator – They explain provisions of the collective agreement to fellow members, talk to supervisors about a grievance, and discuss issues with your CLAC representative. Champion – They embody, defend, and represent a CLAC work environment and approach that is positive and forward thinking. Witness – They serve as witnesses to events that occur in the workplace and are present whenever management issues a disciplinary letter to an employee. Relationship builder – They foster a positive atmosphere while ensuring fairness and justice for everyone, respecting different personalities and backgrounds. How ever these roles that stewards play may land for you, know this: your steward is doing a lot, and they care a lot. You can lean on them as active partners in your workplace. You might be interested in Why We Work Safely 5 Jun 2026 Standing Your Ground, and Staying Steady on the Job 4 Jun 2026 CLAC Partners with Alberta Government to Advance Skilled Trades Training and Accelerate Certification 4 Jun 2026 Strathcona Mechanical Workers Ratify New Agreement Providing Wage, Scheduling Improvements 3 Jun 2026