Advocacy

Advocacy is the practice of standing up for someone, or representing someone’s point of view. A person who is your advocate supports your perspective and has your best interests at heart.

A highly skilled advocate listens well, helps others clarify their positions and sometimes plays “the devil’s advocate.” He/she may offer alternative view points to both management and a member’s position in order to expose weaknesses in the arguments. Yet the advocate is your representative supporting you while looking out for your best interest.

Stewards often serve as advocates for workers in meetings, at political rallies and when talking with legislators, and during a grievance procedure.