What are a steward’s rights regarding attendance at meetings?

Stewards are entitled to reasonable paid official time (also called “release time”) to represent employees in investigations or at grievance meetings, to attend meetings where matters affecting employees’ “terms and conditions” of employment are discussed, and to “meet and confer” on issues involving the unit. For instance, the budget hearings conducted by the Board of Supervisors are matters affecting the terms and conditions of employment, and stewards would be entitled to reasonable release time to attend such meetings. Similarly, if a department planned on making a change to working conditions, a steward(s) would be entitled to attend a meeting to “meet and confer” over the proposed change. The number of stewards who are allowed release time is specifically referenced in the MOUs.