The Shop Steward Becomes a Manager

What Happens when Shop Steward Becomes a Manager

What happens if a shop steward is promoted to a managerial rank? May the employer demand that the employee give up his or her position as a shop steward? We don’t often think of a manager also being a shop steward it would mean that the employee has divided loyalties and may find himself or herself in a tough conflict of interests.

A recent decision of the Labour Court confirmed, however, that the employee’s right to freedom of association is an “absolute right” the employer may not insist that the employee give up his or her position as a shop steward before being promoted to a manager. But the fact that a manager is also a shop steward will not excuse misconduct or poor work performance if that employee gets stuck in the middle of a conflict of interest between the union and the employer.

For further information on any labour related matters or when the the shop steward becomes a manager, you can contact

Bernard Reisner:

W.Tel no.: 021 423 3959

Fax: 021 423 2105
Cell: 082 433 8714
E-mail: bernard@capelabour.co.za
Website: www.capelabour.co.za