APC stewards play a vital role in strengthening our union and supporting the members who make up Academic Professionals of California. Stewards are APC members who give their time to represent colleagues, raise concerns, and help ensure that our collective voice is heard at both the campus and statewide levels.
Serving as a steward is one of the most direct ways members can contribute to APC’s mission. Stewards help protect member rights, support engagement within their campus chapter, and play an active role in the union’s democratic process.
With APC Steward elections approaching, now is a great time to better understand what stewards do, why members choose to serve, and how steward involvement helps shape the future of our union.
What APC Stewards Do Day to Day
APC stewards serve as a key point of connection between members and the union, helping ensure APC remains informed, responsive, and member driven. While the role can look a little different from campus to campus, steward responsibilities are rooted in supporting APC members and strengthening chapter engagement.
On a day-to-day basis, stewards may:
- Serve as a point of contact for APC members with workplace questions or concerns
- Help members understand and enforce the collective bargaining agreement
- Communicate member issues, patterns, and feedback to APC leadership
- Support outreach, organizing, and communication within their campus chapter
- Welcome new APC members and help them get connected to the union
Stewards are not expected to have all the answers. Instead, they act as informed advocates who help members access resources, raise concerns, and stay engaged with the work of APC.
Representing APC Members at Statewide Council
In addition to their work on campus, stewards play an important role at the statewide level. They represent their chapter at APC Statewide Council, where the union conducts its business and makes decisions that affect Unit 4 employees across the CSU.
At Council, stewards bring forward the concerns, priorities, and perspectives of their chapter members. They participate in discussions, vote on motions, and help shape the direction of APC as a member-led organization. After Council meetings, stewards share relevant updates and decisions with their campus chapter, helping ensure transparency and ongoing communication between leadership and members.
Stewards and APC Elections
Stewards also play a key role in APC’s democratic process. Through participation at Statewide Council, stewards elect the APC Council Member at Large, a position that represents the stewards and members and serves on the APC Executive Board.
This role helps ensure that the perspectives and experiences of stewards from all chapters are reflected at the Executive Board. By participating in elections and leadership decisions, stewards help shape the direction, priorities, and governance of APC. Their involvement reinforces the union’s commitment to being member-led and accountable to the chapters they represent.
Time Commitment and Approved Leave
Serving as a steward is a stakeholder role, but APC recognizes the importance of this work and provides approved leave for union business. Stewards have designated steward days that can be used for meetings, trainings, Council participation, and member representation.
Support and training are provided, and no one is expected to step into the role with all the answers. Stewards work collaboratively with other stewards, Chief Stewards, and APC leadership, making the role manageable and sustainable alongside their regular campus responsibilities.
Leadership Development and Professional Growth
Serving as a steward offers meaningful opportunities for leadership development and professional growth. Through their work, stewards build skills in communication, advocacy, and problem-solving while representing the interests of their colleagues.
Stewards gain experience participating in discussions, interpreting the collective bargaining agreement, and working collaboratively to address workplace issues. Many also develop greater confidence in speaking up, organizing others, and navigating complex systems. These experiences often carry over into their professional roles on campus, strengthening both individual growth and the collective capacity of APC.
Hear from Tania Marin-Zeldin
Chief Steward, Cal Poly Humboldt
I originally decided to be a steward for APC because there were some interesting scenarios playing out at my campus. I remember thinking to myself can the administration really do that, can the chancellor’s office really do that? The employee morale on my campus was up and down like a roller coaster. The one thing I felt could help me better understand the landscape at that time was being a steward.
I recall at one of our chapter meetings the Chief Steward at that time was talking about how one could shadow if they wanted to. This way they could get a better feel for being a steward. I took her up on her offer and started to volunteer and learn more and more about the different policies on how our campus operates and the chancellor’s office operates.
I have wonderful colleagues that are always very student centered but I felt like our campus needed a little more fire to give people their voice to ask for what is fair in their eyes.
These past few years have been so fruitful and have helped me grow professionally. I’ve been able to help fellow colleagues apply for Reclasses, IRP’s, stipends and do some mediation. There are times when I’m just a listening ear but even then I feel honored that people trust me and our fellow steward team. We need to be able to stand up for one another because if we don’t stand up for ourselves who will. Being a Chief Steward/Steward has given me the opportunity to grow as a leader, make campus connections and most importantly be a voice for our chapter/campus. We are all stronger together.
Hear from Lydia Keema
Chief Steward, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Serving as (chief) APC steward for my campus is extremely valuable because it provides me with the opportunity to protect and advance the rights of our student services employees, while also strengthening the collective voice of our Unit 4 employees. We advocate for fair pay and stronger livable wages, equitable workloads, and inclusive workplace policies. Being a steward builds leadership, negotiation practices, listening skills, and offers a meaningful opportunity to meet staff from across campus and staff members across the CSU. Through this hard work, stewards have the opportunity to positively shape campus culture at the university level and at the CSU level. We have the chance to work locally with a team of stewards and statewide with steward forums and council for collective action, not only improving our working conditions but upholding the dignity of the work we do at the system-wide level. It’s such a great honor to support Unit 4 employees during some of their hardest times, working towards problem resolution, while also making sure employees don’t feel alone or confused in the process.
Hear from Michael Pratt
Steward, Chico
I chose to volunteer as an APC steward because shared governance and collective action only work when people are willing to step forward and do the work. Serving as a steward allows me to help colleagues navigate complex systems, protect fairness in the workplace, and ensure that staff voices are heard and respected. The reward is knowing that I’m contributing to a stronger, more equitable university community.
Steward Opportunities Vary by Campus
Steward opportunities vary by campus and chapter size. Each campus has a designated number of steward positions, including a Chief Steward role, based on the size of the APC chapter. Not all steward positions are always filled, which means opportunities to serve may already exist on some campuses.
Because steward roles are tied to chapter representation and member engagement, availability can change over time. Members who are interested in serving are encouraged to learn more about the needs and opportunities within their own campus chapter.
Why Consider Serving as a Steward
Serving as a steward is an opportunity to take an active role in supporting APC members and strengthening the union at both the campus and statewide levels. Stewards help ensure member concerns are raised, communication remains strong, and chapters stay connected to APC’s broader work.
For members who care about fairness, collaboration, and having a voice in union decisions, stewardship offers a meaningful way to contribute. Whether through representing chapter perspectives, supporting fellow members, or participating in APC’s democratic process, serving as a steward allows members to make an impact beyond their individual role or department.
Looking Ahead and Getting Involved
With APC Steward elections approaching, now is an important time to understand the role stewards play in representing members and shaping the direction of the union. The upcoming election will follow the February APC Council meeting, with voting running through March.
Steward involvement helps ensure APC remains member-led, informed by chapter perspectives, and accountable to those it represents.
Interested in serving as a steward?
Contact your campus Chief Steward to learn more about opportunities on your campus.