Union Steward Salary and Compensation

Union stewards play a crucial role in representing and advocating for the rights of union members. Their responsibilities include processing grievances, negotiating contracts, and ensuring that labor agreements are upheld. As such, it is important to understand the compensation and benefits that union stewards receive for their work.

Key Facts

  1. Salary Range: The average salary for union stewards in the United States ranges between $40,000 and $91,000 per year.
  2. Average Salary: The average annual salary for union stewards in the United States is $61,150, or $29 per hour.
  3. Compensation Based on Experience: The salary of a union steward can vary based on their level of experience. An entry-level steward with 1-3 years of experience earns an average salary of $69,991, while a senior-level steward with 8+ years of experience earns an average salary of $123,573.
  4. Additional Compensation: Union stewards may also receive bonuses as part of their compensation. The average bonus for union stewards in the United States is $4,331 per year.
  5. Paid Time for Steward Duties: According to collective agreements, union stewards are entitled to reasonable time while on duty without loss of salary to process grievances and attend labor/management meetings.
  6. Meeting Compensation: If labor/management meetings are scheduled outside of the union stewards’ work hours, they should be paid at straight time rates for the time spent at the meeting.
  7. Types of Grievances: Stewards are entitled to pay when processing any grievance or potential grievance concerning the interpretation, application, operation, or alleged violation of the collective agreement.

Average Salary and Salary Range

The average annual salary for union stewards in the United States is $61,150, or $29 per hour (SalaryExpert, 2024). However, salaries can range from $40,000 to $91,000 per year, depending on factors such as experience, location, and industry (Zippia, 2024).

Compensation Based on Experience

The salary of a union steward can vary based on their level of experience. An entry-level steward with 1-3 years of experience earns an average salary of $69,991, while a senior-level steward with 8+ years of experience earns an average salary of $123,573 (SalaryExpert, 2024).

Additional Compensation

Union stewards may also receive bonuses as part of their compensation. The average bonus for union stewards in the United States is $4,331 per year (SalaryExpert, 2024).

Paid Time for Steward Duties

According to collective agreements, union stewards are entitled to reasonable time while on duty without loss of salary to process grievances and attend labor/management meetings (Health Sciences Association, 2003).

Meeting Compensation

If labor/management meetings are scheduled outside of the union stewards’ work hours, they should be paid at straight time rates for the time spent at the meeting (Health Sciences Association, 2003).

Types of Grievances

Stewards are entitled to pay when processing any grievance or potential grievance concerning the interpretation, application, operation, or alleged violation of the collective agreement (Health Sciences Association, 2003).

Conclusion

Union stewards play a vital role in ensuring that the rights of union members are upheld. Their compensation and benefits should reflect the importance of their work and the value they bring to their organizations.

References

Health Sciences Association. (2003). When are union stewards entitled to pay? Retrieved from https://hsabc.org/news/when-are-union-stewards-entitled-pay

SalaryExpert. (2024). Union Steward Salary in the United States. Retrieved from https://www.salaryexpert.com/salary/job/union-steward/united-states

Zippia. (2024). Union Steward Overview. Retrieved from https://www.zippia.com/union-steward-jobs/

FAQs

What is the average salary for union stewards in the United States?

The average annual salary for union stewards in the United States is $61,150, or $29 per hour.

What is the salary range for union stewards?

Union steward salaries can range from $40,000 to $91,000 per year, depending on factors such as experience, location, and industry.

Do union stewards receive additional compensation?

Yes, union stewards may receive bonuses as part of their compensation. The average bonus for union stewards in the United States is $4,331 per year.

Are union stewards paid for time spent on steward duties?

Yes, according to collective agreements, union stewards are entitled to reasonable time while on duty without loss of salary to process grievances and attend labor/management meetings.

Are union stewards paid for attending meetings outside of their work hours?

Yes, if labor/management meetings are scheduled outside of the union stewards’ work hours, they should be paid at straight time rates for the time spent at the meeting.

What types of grievances are union stewards entitled to pay for processing?

Union stewards are entitled to pay when processing any grievance or potential grievance concerning the interpretation, application, operation, or alleged violation of the collective agreement.

Can union stewards be paid for attending disciplinary meetings?

Yes, if an employee is called into a meeting that could result in a written warning or more serious discipline, the union steward attending the meeting with the employee is entitled to be paid their regular hourly salary, even if the meeting does not result in any warning or discipline.

How does experience affect a union steward’s salary?

The salary of a union steward can vary based on their level of experience. An entry-level steward with 1-3 years of experience earns an average salary of $69,991, while a senior-level steward with 8+ years of experience earns an average salary of $123,573.