What do union representatives – otherwise known as ‘shop stewards’ – do for our members? Why are they important? And why should you consider supporting your colleagues by becoming a shop steward?
We asked two of our most experienced shop stewards at the University of Helsinki – Tiina Niklander and Thomas Hackman – to share their experiences and reasons why you should consider becoming a shop steward.
Tiina Niklander, University Instructor, former Chief Shop Steward
Have you ever wondered where to get a second opinion about information HR gave you? Shop stewards are your colleagues who work at the university, but who have extra knowledge about our salary systems and other rules and regulations related to work conditions. Trade unions provide training for shop stewards and shop stewards also ask support among themselves both within the university and among universities. Shop steward can help you to read our collective agreement and even give some guidance for you in your salary negotiations.
Typically the shop steward is contacted when something negative happens. I accompany several union members every year to a formal hearing. University organises these formal hearings, when it is considering either giving a formal warning or terminating the contract prematurely. The reasons for the hearings are various, but most typical reasons are related to neglecting some work tasks (at least according to your supervisor). These are very stressful situations especially to the person who gets such an invitation. It is important to immediately contact one of the shop stewards, because typically the hearing will be organised within two to five working days from the invitation. So time is in essence here. The shop steward you contact might not be the one supporting you eventually. The hearings are almost always handled by the more senior shop stewards, especially by chief shop stewards.
I was one of the chief shop stewards for a decade. As chief shop stewards I participated in the big YT-process 2015-2016, negotiated our local agreement about shop stewards at least twice, had monthly meetings with the leaders of the university to discuss current issues.
One of the positive aspects of being a shop steward is definitely the opportunity to meet people with very different backgrounds, from different disciplines, different career phases, different universities etc. Such an experience has given me a lot of different perspectives and understanding that different departments and faculties even within our own university have very different working cultures. It is really surprising to hear how teachers of a particular discipline plan the teaching for next academic year. The variety is surprisingly large.
I would strongly recommend everybody to consider becoming a shop steward, or at least vice shop stewards. Shop stewards get a small monthly extra to their salary and a small amount of working hours can be allocated for this annually. Vice shop stewards are just ready to become shop steward, no active role, no requirements, but have the right to participate in the training so that you would be ready to step in if needed.
Shop stewards are elected for two years at a time and the next election will happen in Fall 2026. To become a shop steward, you need to be employed by the university. Grant researchers cannot be shop stewards. At least chief shop stewards have to be able to read Finnish text (at least with the help of automatic translation tools). You should be interested in what happens at the university, but there are no other requirements. Being a shop steward has no negative aspects in your career unless you start to invest a lot of your time in it.
Thomas Hackman, University Researcher, HYT Board Member
As a shop steward, the most important job is to be available and supportive. You should be ready to listen and also act when necessary. On the other hand, you must also remember that there may be two sides of every issue. At least in the beginning, it is also important that you consult, e.g., the chief (or vice chief) shop stewards before giving hasty advice or promises. Especially formal hearings are better taken care of by a chief shop steward.
Typical situations I encountered as a shop steward were questions of salaries and work contracts. Some doctoral researchers may not get the performance raise they are entitled to. Others want advice on how to argue for a higher personal salary percentage. Concerning work contracts, questions are often related to the problems of temporary positions.
I have also dealt with situations of harassment. These questions are not technically supposed to be part of the shop steward’s work, as they belong to occupational safety and health. Still shop stewards are sometimes consulted also in these situations. In my case, these have been Swedish speaking staff members, so they have contacted me based on my mother tongue. Harassment cases are especially difficult, since it is often word against word. The opposing staff member may even be from the same union. My role has been more to give advice on who to contact in these matters and also the importance of documentation.
An important part of being a shop steward is training and meetings organised by JUKO and/or the unions. In these national events you will meet other shop stewards from Finnish universities, and exchange experience and ideas.
As a whole, the work burden of being a shop steward was never very heavy for me. The number of cases I handled was typically 1-3 each year. On the contrary, the work was rewarding, in the sense of appreciation by colleagues. It was also great to meet colleagues from different campuses and universities. Of course, shop stewards also get compensation in euros. But this I saw more as a symbolic gesture from the employer.