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

As a union shop steward, Guerdan had spent many extremely cold days this winter marching in the picket line.

From Washington Post • Feb. 9, 2023

The reader should know that my grandfather was a conductor and shop steward.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 2, 2022

“I think it was some staffer that was sympathetic to DSA and just pretty much grossed out by how these people were behaving,” said Frank Halstead, a shop steward of Teamsters Local 572 in Compton.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 5, 2022

This fact has been demonstrated by what is known as the "shop steward" movement in England, where the workers repudiated the leaders' agreements and everywhere organized local strikes.

From An essay on the American contribution and the democratic idea by Churchill, Winston