Nominate Your Favorite Steward for Shop Steward of the Year
It’s that time of year again! Time to nominate your favorite union steward for our Shop Steward of the Year award! Union stewards are critical to building a stronger labor movement. Stewards often do a lot of behind the scenes work that does not get the attention and recognition it deserves. That’s why every year the Maine AFL-CIO recognizes a shop steward who goes above and beyond for their fellow union siblings.
A committee will evaluate all the submissions, make a selection, and we will recognize the steward at our Maine AFL-CIO COPE Convention in June 2026. The deadline for nominations is Friday, May 22, 2026.
NOMINATE YOUR FAVORITE STEWARD HERE
You can use the following criteria to consider nominations. We are looking for a steward who:
- Defends and enforces union contracts
- Educates and orients new members
- Helps members with workplace issues
- Engages members in collective action
- Listens well and follows through with co-workers and the company honestly and accurately
- Earns the trust and respect of the members they lead
- Serves as the shop floor eyes and ears of the union
- Carries out worksite communications
- Has one-on one-conversations with members at work, one of the most important strategic resources and advantages unions have
- Leads by example