Job Title: Walking Steward (Nights)
Status: Full-time appointment by President. Evaluations at 3 months, 6 months, and then yearly to determine success in position and if the appointment will continue
Immediate Supervisor: Southwest Union Representative, with direction from UFCW 663 Meatpacking Director
Location: JBS
Date: Updated 9/9/2025
Starting Salary: 48 hours at bracket rate
ABOUT UFCW LOCAL 663
UFCW Local 663 is a union of 14,000 hard-working retail grocery, meat packing and processing, food preparation and manufacturing, healthcare, and other workers in Minnesota. We strive to improve the lives of our members and of all working families by fighting for economic, political, and social justice in our workplaces and communities. Local 663 is part of the 1.3-million-member United Food and Commercial Workers International Union.
JOB SUMMARY
PURPOSE: The Walking Steward is responsible for serving the membership of UFCW Local 663 through leadership identification, recruiting, organizing, and mobilizing workers, enforcing the collective bargaining agreement, and resolving workplace issues. The key candidate will understand the value of worker power and actively lead to ensure the success and stability of our Union and labor movement.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Build worker power through 1 to 1 conversations;
- Identify and recruit a cadre of diverse, representative Union Stewards throughout the plant to build worker power and accomplish the goals of the Local;
- Enforce the collective bargaining agreement by working with Union Representatives, to include all steps of grievance handling;
- Walk the floor to enforce standards, identify safety and other worksite issues to be addressed with plant management;
- Mentor and empower members to be effective Union Stewards and leaders, including participation at Labor Management and Safety Meetings;
- Update supervisor with necessary information through established check-ins and reports to ensure appropriate member representation;
- Communicate effectively and follow up with members, including written materials, to meet members’ needs;
- Ability to learn UFCW databases (i.e. ActionBuilder) and communication applications (i.e WhatsApp) as needed to ensure updated data and member communications;
- Participate in negotiations;
- Serve as a resource to members for legislative issues, trends in bargaining, and other matters related to terms and conditions of employment;
- Other duties as assigned.
Examples above provide a general summary of the work required and should not be treated as a complete list of expected duties to be performed by appointees in this classification.
DIRECTIONS AND DECISION MAKING:
This position reports to SW Union Representative, with direction from UFCW 663 Meatpacking Director, on a regular basis and will be expected to keep them regularly apprised of developments on all labor relations activities. This position requires self-accountability, independent decision making, ability to think on your feet and prioritize issues.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Previous union experience as a worker leader and steward;
- Ability to learn the collective bargaining agreement, Federal and State labor laws and work collectively to enforce them;
- Ability to effectively defend members receiving discipline, inside and outside disciplinary meetings;
- Ability to lead, train and coordinate Stewards, member leaders and organizing committee members;
- Excellent leadership and motivational skills;
- Excellent “one-on-one” interpersonal communications and ability to navigate complex interpersonal relationships, including maintaining confidentiality;
- Proficiency in English and one of the most common languages spoken by members at JBS;
- Ability to self-motivate, work independently, and stay on task and on time;
- Ability to drive long distances and maintain a valid driver’s license;
- Required to work irregular/extended work hours, including evenings and weekends, with occasional overnight stays;
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Knowledge of union organizing practice and principles;
- General knowledge of the roles and duties of union officers and staff and understanding of UFCW Local 663 union philosophy;
- Skilled in dispute resolution;
- Experience in negotiations;
- Knowledge of anti-union employer tactics;
- Experience with Outlook, Microsoft Office, Excel and Google Drive, Google Sheets, and Google Docs.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
High School Diploma or greater with experience as a worker leader of our union. Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the primary responsibilities will be considered.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AS REQUIRED BY ADA:
- Work is performed in the plant and occasionally from a field office.
- Driving, travel, and extended work hours are required.
- Valid driver’s license required.
- The ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand and must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
- The ability to observe details at close range.
- Frequently moves boxes weighing up to 75 pounds.
Must pass a pre-employment background check and reference check. We offer maintenance of JBS benefits, mileage reimbursement when asked to travel, and cell phone/phone stipend.
TO APPLY:
To be considered, applicants will need to communicate their interest in the position with Ruth Schultz, Meatpacking Director, by Monday September 15th at 612-388-2829 or ruths@ufcw663.org. This communication can be done:
- Verbally over the phone
- In writing over email or text message, explain why you are interested in the position and your prior union experience.