Understand how they apply to special conditions in your department. But it's worth it. As steward, you have to do a lot of the day to day work. But if you are a good leader, you'll get cooperation from your fellow workers and your union officials as well as from management and this helps make the job easier. You will have headaches, but you will also get breaks.
Stewardship gives valuable experience.
The keystone of the local union may be the stepping stone to greater union leadership.