"Being elected to a position like the one he now holds opens up a lot of opportunties to do that that don't exist as a grass roots member, and gives you the ability to actually shape and implement policy that you otherwise can't."

This line pretty much sums up Stephens point, and shows quite clearly the problem of certain trade union structure. If a rank and file member can't shape policy then the group (union, community or 'party') has problems...

Jared D