walking delegate
- noun
- Jargon
:
delegado sindical
- The walking delegate checked in with the factory workers to ensure their rights were being upheld.
Examples
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As a walking delegate, she frequently visited construction sites to discuss safety regulations with the workers.
-
During the meeting, the walking delegate reported on the workers' conditions at various sites.
-
You look like a walking delegate or something, Dad.
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And TV is the walking delegate.
Synonyms
12
5.0
A worker elected to represent colleagues in talks with managers about work rights
3
5.8
A worker chosen by other workers to speak for them to management
2
3.7
A person elected by workers to speak for them in talks with managers
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is compositionally built from 'walking' (moving on foot/visiting) + 'delegate' (representative), so a learner who knows both words can infer it refers to a representative who goes around to workplaces. Although the exact union-specific duties are specialized, the core meaning (a delegate who visits workers) is directly derivable from the constituents.
Etymology
Walking delegate comes from union practice. A walking delegate was a union representative who literally walked around workplaces to check conditions and speak to workers, so it now means 'a union representative who visits workplaces to make sure agreements are kept'.