shop steward

American  

noun

1. a unionized employee elected to represent a shop, department, or the like, in dealings with an employer.

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shop steward British  

noun

1. a coworker elected by trade union members to represent them in discussions and negotiations with the management

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Etymology

Origin of shop steward

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

The stock controller, who is also Unite shop steward, said Leadec had set up a foodbank to support its workers facing extreme hardship.

From BBC • Sep. 28, 2025

But weeks later, some drivers reported they were fired for joining the union, and a shop steward told BuzzFeed News that Silverstar had shut down its Michigan location months after.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 28, 2023

In October 1991, Ms. LaTour struck up a conversation on an uptown Manhattan A train with Russell Smith, a union tour guide and shop steward.

From New York Times • Apr. 6, 2023

“Calculated with his words,” said Bowen, a local union executive board member and shop steward who had known Cunningham for 17 years.

From Washington Post • Feb. 1, 2023

Of course Bailey, the shop steward, would take his usual delight in bringing that up.

From Meeting of the Board by Nourse, Alan Edward