The Union Steward's Complete Guide - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0965948609 ISBN 13: 9780965948609

Publisher: Union Communication Services Inc, 1997

About this title

From the Back Cover

What they're saying about Steward Update newsletter, on which The Union Steward's Complete Guide is based:

"My local has subscribed for our stewards, all 250 of them, since 1989. I can't tell you how much Steward Update has done to strengthen and build our union. It's great." Clay Bowman, President, UFCW Local 1360

"My stewards always look forward to receiving their copy of Steward Update -- they rate it first class." Peter Kerrick, President, OCAW Local 6-409

"Steward Update is timely and thorough. It's filled with information that just isn't available from any other source. We can't imagine getting along with out it." Sally Davies, President, AFSCME Local 1072

"Our people find the newsletter very informative and look forward to each issue." Jim Ferrano, Recording Secretary, UA Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 340

"I look forward to getting my Steward Update every couple of months. It really hits home on several issues happening at the Post Office. At the same time, it helps me deal with the stress and BS that comes with the job." Eddie Beaver, Steward and Chief Trustee, APWU local 130

"This [Steward Update] stuff is absolutely great for our stewards. You can't beat it. It's wonderful!" Daryl Eygabroad, President, IAM Lodge 1040

"Steward Update is a great source of practical advise and timely information for our local union leaders facing the challenges of today's workplace. We make sure that all of our stewards receive the newsletter." Peter Goldberger, Education and Mobilization Director, UNITE

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Management Tactics in Grievance Sessions

A grievance meeting should be a fair exchange between the union and management. The equity principle, long recognized by the National Labor Relations Board, points out that you are not just an employee at these meetings. As the steward, the representative of the union, you are an equal. The problem, however, is that managers often behave in ways that stack the deck against the steward.

A Typical Scenario

Your supervisor schedules a grievance meeting for 3 p.m., just half an hour before you're due to leave work. You and the grievant meet in his office. He has you sit on low folding chairs, while he sits behind his desk. He starts talking about fishing, then spends time complaining about the economy. The phone rings. You finally get into the grievance when his secretary interrupts. Then the phone rings again. He finally gets interested in what you're saying and starts firing questions at you when the final buzzer rings to punch out.

What's Really Going On

Although this might seem to be just part of the game for the steward, it is important to understand what is going on and how it can work against you. As our scenario suggests, things to watch out for are:

-- Your physical relationship to management. -- Management efforts to get you off track. -- Interruption. -- Pacing.

It Doesn't Have to Be This Way

A handy rule of thumb is to ask yourself, "Would my supervisor treat another management person this way?" If the answer is no, then you should not expect to be treated that way. Here are some hints:

1. Physical surroundings. You should not be physically dominated by the supervisor -- him in a big, high chair behind a massive desk, for example, while you don't even get a place to sit and lay out your paperwork. 2. Small talk. A little chitchat is fine, but this can be used to distract you from the case at hand. Remind the supervisor what you are there for. 3. Interruptions. One interruption may be acceptable; more than that is just not necessary. Your supervisor would most likely have all calls held when meeting with another manager. He should do the same for you. 4. Pacing. Remember, this is not management's meeting only -- it's just as much the union's meeting. You, too, can control the pace. If your supervisor likes to ask questions, ask him one also. If he is the quiet type, then you can be quiet too.

Grievance meeting procedures aren't written in stone, and may develop because stewards allow them to. Asserting your rights as an equal will force the supervisor to take you more seriously. It will also help you to win more grievances.

-- From the "Presenting the Grievance" chapter

Edition details

• Publisher: Union Communication Services Inc
• Publication date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0965948609
• ISBN 13: 9780965948609
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 225
• Editor: Prosten David