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

Escobar became a shop steward but didn’t think of getting more involved in labor leadership until the early 2000s, when drivers twice crashed into his idling fire truck.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 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

Their marriage broke up in the 1980s, she said, because of her time-consuming work as a union shop steward in a factory after she left domestic employment.

From New York Times • Jan. 25, 2023

Torkleson was waiting to see the shop steward when he came in next morning.

From Meeting of the Board by Nourse, Alan Edward