Union staff member

A union employee whose job is to defend the union members' interests.

A staff representative has a wide range of duties. These include: visiting the workplace regularly to answer any questions and concerns the workers have about work; protecting their rights by ensuring management lives up to terms of the collective agreement; informing workers about education and training opportunities as well as union initiatives and events; handling complaints and grievances; negotiating contracts; and guiding workers with Health and Safety advocacy.
(adapted from United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 1000A, Your Ultimate Resource, visited 2012-05-10)