Shop steward

The shop steward and the elected representative provide employees with advice and support and look after their interests in the workplace. The shop steward and the elected representative are personnel representatives whom the employees have elected from among themselves.

If a collective agreement applies to the employees in the workplace, the personnel representative is called the shop steward. The employees belonging to a trade union have elected the shop steward to represent the trade union and its members in the workplace.

If no collective agreement applies to the employees in the workplace, the personnel representative is called the elected representative.

The Finnish term for shop steward (Luottamusmies) refers to a male and there are plans to replace it with a gender-neutral term. Changing the term would also require changes to the legislation and collective agreements.

How is the shop steward elected?

The shop steward is elected from among the personnel for a fixed term. More detailed provisions on the election of the shop steward and on whom the shop stewards represents in the workplace are set out in the collective agreement. The workplace may have more than one shop steward if more than one collective agreement applies to the employees in the workplace.

What to do if the workplace does not have a shop steward?

Electing a shop steward in the workplace is highly recommended. For more information on how to elect a shop steward, contact your trade union. The status of the shop steward is based on the law and agreements on shop stewards.

If no shop steward can be elected in the workplace, the employees can elect a personnel representative from among themselves. The tasks and powers of the elected representative are specified in the Employment Contracts Act and other labour legislation. They are not as extensive as those of shop stewards.

What are the tasks of the shop steward?

Shop stewards have a wide range of different tasks. They look after the interests of the employees that they represent, work to ensure that the collective agreement and labour legislation are observed in the workplace and negotiate on personnel-related matters with the employer.

Shop stewards also work to ensure that employees are treated fairly and equally and, if necessary, provide trade union members with advice and support in matters concerning working life, assist them during changes in working life and help them in problem situations.

Shop stewards cooperate with the employer and the employees whom they represent in the development of the work community. Although shop stewards primarily represent the trade union members, in codetermination negotiations they can also act as representatives of the entire personnel.