Faculty Stewards
What is a faculty steward?
Faculty stewards are trained faculty representatives who:
Serve as a point of contact for colleagues
Help answer questions about workplace rights and union procedures
Support communication between faculty and union leadership
Assist in maintaining consistent information across departments
Accompany colleagues in meetings that may lead to discipline when requested
One critical protection stewards help uphold is Weingarten Rights.
What are weingarten rights?
Weingarten Rights allow union-represented employees to request union representation during investigatory meetings that the employee reasonably believes could result in discipline.
This means:
If a faculty member is called into a meeting that could lead to disciplinary action
And the faculty member requests representation
The meeting must either be postponed until a steward is present or discontinued
Stewards ensure faculty are aware of this right and provide representation when requested.
Why it matters
A strong steward network:
Ensures faculty understand and can exercise their workplace rights
Provides consistent support across departments
Strengthens transparency and accountability
Increases responsiveness to concerns before they escalate
Reinforces faculty unity during negotiations and campus decision-making
Stewards play an essential role in protecting colleagues and strengthening collective representation.
