Should Union Shop Stewards Get Extra Pay? | #LaborPaul

On The Jacobin Show, Paul Prescod answers a viewer's question on whether union shop stewards should be paid for the time they spend on organizing and other union work.

[mr.greene]

I’m a building rep in my high school…we pay a nominal stipend, but nobody does it for the money. I think a building rep team needs a bunch of different types of people, including those on the staff that are confrontational. I really identified with what Paul said about conditions, that’s the number one thing we deal with. In my time as a rep, access to bathrooms for the staff is one of the most frequent and intractable issues I deal with.

[JosephRostkowski]

If you are in a union you are already organized! As a steward myself im starting to see that alot of union workers are there for a paycheck for themselves and could careless about the brotherhood😢 it is disheartening how corporations have scared even union workers to feel (At least i have job security)

[trappedkitty]

It may be semantics, but "against management" can wander into becoming a personal attack. Protecting the joint contract is a less confrontational angle and helps management understand that you are not after them but instead are holding everyone, including union members, to that contract. If they want to break the contract, start by negotiating those changes with the union through their contract negotiation teams—but obey the contract until that happens.

That goes against the contract that we agreed to. Here is the Article/Law/Handbook citation. Educate yourself like a lawyer would because knowledge is your weapon of defense!

[karlhoweth]

I'm a teamster steward and I agree. It doesn't need to be monetized.

[JosephRostkowski]

As a union steward if your looking for perks or more pay you shouldn't be the steward in the first place if your interest is personal gain! I do it for us not me, UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL!

[IshtarNike]

I find US unions so fascinating. Workplace representatives (stewards) aren't elected in the UK. I like your method better.

[scottdavis]

No. Shop Stewards should be volunteers or voted in.

[JaredAllaway]

No. No person should be paid more than any other person.

[Life_Of_Mine_]

I can't believe you are not Egyptian...

[joedaddy]

anyone on the left?Wtf was that said for🤡