Steward Strong Series

7 Mistakes New Stewards Make (And How to Avoid Them)

Welcome to the Steward Strong Series, where we cut through the noise and focus on real-world skills every steward needs on the job.

Let’s be honest, becoming a union steward is like jumping into the fire. Most of us weren’t handed a playbook on day one. We learn the hard way by stumbling, by getting blindsided by management, and by losing grievances that should have been slam dunks.

This series is for every steward who wants to do better.
For the new steward who feels overwhelmed.
For the seasoned steward who wants to sharpen their skills and stop falling into the same traps.

This isn’t theory.
These are battle-tested lessons from the shop floor, the grievance table, and the union hall.

And one of the fastest ways to grow as a steward is to learn from the mistakes others have already made, so you don’t have to make them yourself.

That’s why we’re starting this series with one of the most important and overlooked topics:
The 7 mistakes that sink stewards fast, and how you can avoid them starting today.

These are mistakes I’ve seen over and over again.
Some of them I’ve made myself.
All of them are avoidable if you stay sharp and learn from those who’ve been there.

Let’s dive in.

1. Flying Blind Without Knowing the Contract

Your contract is your foundation.
If you don’t know it inside and out, you’re setting yourself and the members you represent up for failure.

Why this happens:
New stewards get overwhelmed and assume they can "learn as they go." That’s true, but you can’t represent members on articles you haven’t even read.

Real Talk Example:
A member demands hazard pay because the job is “dangerous.” The steward files a grievance... but the contract clearly outlines specific conditions where hazard pay applies, and this isn’t one of them. Now the steward looks sloppy and loses credibility.

What to do instead:

• Study your contract like a toolbox, know what tool (article) to pull for each situation.
• Mark up your copy with notes and tabs.
• Ask experienced stewards what the most-used articles are and learn those first.

2. Turning Every Complaint Into a Grievance

Grievances are powerful tools, but they aren’t the only ones in your steward toolbox.
Not every gripe is a violation of the contract.

Why this happens:
Stewards feel like they have to "fix everything" with a grievance, or they think filing a grievance shows strength.

Common Pitfall:
You flood the company with weak grievances, and they start treating all your paperwork as noise, even when you have a solid case.

What to do instead:

• Always ask, “What section of the contract does this violate?” If you can’t answer, slow down.
• Sometimes the best action is an informal conversation with a supervisor, mediation, or coaching the member on handling it themselves.
• Remember: Your power comes from knowing when to grieve and when to guide.

3. Making It Personal With Management

It’s easy to get fired up, especially when management acts like jerks. But stewards who let emotion take over lose the room and lose respect.

Why this happens:
New stewards think being loud means being strong.

Real World Pitfall:
Yelling in a grievance meeting feels good, but the company uses your outburst to make you look unprofessional in front of HR or arbitrators.

What to do instead:

• Stay calm.
• Use phrases like, “Per our agreement…” and “The facts show…”
• Kill them with calm, professional contract language; they hate that.

4. Failing to Document Everything

In the steward world, if it’s not written down, it didn’t happen.

Why this happens:
New stewards think they’ll remember conversations. They won’t.

Common Pitfall:
A manager claims they never promised something, and there’s no steward note to prove otherwise. Case lost.

What to do instead:

• Document every conversation, phone call, meeting, or even hallway chat.
• Use a cheap notebook or your phone’s notes app.
• Keep dates, times, names, and what was said.

5. Trying to Know Everything (And Burning Out)

New stewards feel pressure to have all the answers.
That’s a fast track to burnout and making mistakes.

Why this happens:
You feel like you’ll lose respect if you admit you don’t know something.

Reality Check:
Saying “Let me check the contract and get back to you” shows you care about getting it right, not rushing into a wrong answer.

What to do instead:

• Build a steward buddy system.
• Use your grievance chair, E-board, or union mentors.
• Don’t be afraid to say, “I’ll get back to you.”

6. Waiting for Members to Come to You

Stewards who hide in the lunchroom waiting for grievances are already behind.
If you’re not visible, members assume you don’t care or, worse, that you’re just management’s tool.

Why this happens:
New stewards feel awkward approaching members, or they get caught up in paperwork.

What to do instead:

• Walk the floor daily.
• Check in with members before issues blow up.
• Be present at shift changes, break rooms, and union meetings.

Pro Tip:
If they only see you when there’s a problem, you’re not building solidarity, you’re putting out fires.

7. Trying to Do It All Alone

Being a steward is about building power, not carrying the weight of the entire crew on your back.

Why this happens:
Stewards feel like they have to prove themselves by taking on everything alone.

Dangerous Pitfall:
You burn out. Members, stop stepping up. The company loves a tired, isolated steward.

What to do instead:

• Involve members in everything: surveys, actions, committees.
• Delegate tasks.
• Teach what you know, and make your replacements ready.

Final Lesson:
A strong union isn’t one steward doing everything, it’s a crew that backs each other up. 

Stewardship is a journey, not a title.
You will make mistakes.
But if you stay humble, keep learning, and show up for your crew, you will grow into the steward they trust to have their backs.

Don’t aim for perfection.
Aim to be prepared, respected, and ready to stand up when it counts.