IG Metall explains: What are shop stewards?

Competent

Whether it’s legal advice, information on the collective bargaining agreement, or sharing experiences: union representatives are there to support their colleagues with questions or problems. Through free seminars offered by IG Metall, union representatives can always stay up to date. They are well-connected and informed about current developments at the company and within IG Metall. Union representatives are competent and can provide immediate assistance.

Assertive

Union representatives work closely with the works council, the youth and apprentice representatives, and the representatives for employees with severe disabilities. Together, they form the company’s representative body. Union representatives are indispensable for a functioning representative body: they collaborate on solutions to problems and strengthen cooperation between the representative body and the employees.

The work of a union representative is protected by Article 9, Paragraph 3 of the German Basic Law. Union representatives enjoy special legal protection when conducting discussions with the works council. They recruit new members, strengthen union organization within the company, and mobilize members for actions and collective bargaining rounds. Union representatives are assertive and protect employees from arbitrary treatment.

Run for Union Representative Now

You, too, can run for union representative at your workplace. The election process is straightforward. Unlike works council elections, there are no legal requirements. Talk to your union representative body leadership (VKL), your works council, or your local IG Metall chapter.