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Shop Steward
Nov 03, 2015

Labor Cartoon
Sep 23, 2015

Disciplines for Off-Duty Conduct
Dec 15, 2010


Employers can legitimately discipline employees for some situations they get into while away from work, but there are some general guidelines.  First, the employer is obliged to conduct a proper investigation and prove the guilt of the accused.  Second, if a worker is to be disciplined for off-duty conduct, then the misconduct rule should be worded in a way that includes misconduct off the job.  Third, for an offense to warrant discipline it should in some way affect the employer’s image or product.  Fourth, if a law enforcement agency has an investigation in process at the time discipline is imposed, the discipline may be untimely. 


Common Mistakes to Avoid
Oct 26, 2010

Following are some common mistakes to avoid.  It’s a mistake to …

  • Promise Remedies Too Quickly:  You are hurting both the member and your credibility if you pass judgment on a grievance prior to a thorough investigation.  Given the frequency of poor and mixed arbitration decisions, no steward should ever promise victory.
  • Fail to Speak With New Workers:  The most important way a union gains the support of a new member or potential new member is by one-on-one contact with the steward.
  • Fail to Adhere to Time Lines:  Even the strongest, iron-clad case can be lost if you fail to follow the time line specified in your contract.  If you do get a formal extension of time limits, be sure to get it in writing.
  • Let Grievances Go Unfiled:  Every grievance that goes unfilled undermines the contract that you struggled so hard to win.  While most members see changes and problems only in terms of the impact on them, the steward needs to be able to understand a grievance’s impact on the contract and the union as a whole.

The Reality of Being a Steward
Oct 20, 2010


Following are some helpful tips about what to expect when you become a steward:

  • Chances are your contract has lots of tricky spots.  Don’t expect to master it all at once – ask for help from other stewards and local union leaders.
  • As a steward, you’ll end up seeing people at their worst – when they’ve made bad mistakes and are in deep trouble.  Expect to have your compassion and patience tested day after day – and try to understand and empathize with other people as much as you can.
  • Hard as it may be to believe, the union doesn’t have a lock on Truth and Justice.  People, being human, make mistakes.  You may have to admit to making a few mistakes yourself.  But don’t let a temporary setback discourage you from continuing the fight.

Quick Tips! Mistakes to Avoid
Sep 28, 2010
Mistakes To Avoid

Following are some common mistakes to avoid.  It’s a mistake to …

· Meet With Management Alone:  When you meet with management alone, suspicions may arise as to what kinds of deals you are making.  It also allows management to lie or change its story.  More important, when stewards meet with management alone, it takes away an opportunity for members to participate in the union and to understand that it’s really their organization.

· Fail to Get Settlements in Writing:  Just as you should protect yourself by not meeting with management alone, be sure to get grievance settlements in writing.  Putting the settlement in writing helps clarify the issues and keeps management from backing down on its deal.

· Fail to Publicize Victories:  Publicizing each and every victory is an important way to build your local union.  This publicity not only has a chilling effect on the employer, but helps educate your members about their contractual rights.

· Fail to Organize:  Stewards are much more than grievance handlers.  They’re the local’s mobilizers, who should be talkin’ and fightin’ union all the time.  Each and every grievance and incident must be looked at in terms of how it can increase participation, build the union and create new leaders.



Page Last Updated: Nov 03, 2015 (09:56:43)
 
 
District Council 4
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