The shop steward is one of the key persons
in the union structure.
The most important job of the steward is learning and
applying the contract and properly using the grievance procedure.

To properly enforce the grievance procedure the steward must:
A.  Know the Contract
B.  Know the Department
C.  Know the People


Contract Violation:

The collective bargaining Agreement spells out most
of the rules that govern the relationship of workers
to their jobs. Therefore, the first step taken by the
steward or grievance person should be to review the agreement
thoroughly to see whether the grievance has merit.

Discuss it with the member.....
It may be necessary to have fairly long talks
with members to determine whether their presumed
grievances are justified.

When in doubt....
consult with other stewards and the union officers.
They may be able to help you with the facts
that will help you decide.

When you feel they might have a valid grievance, tell
them frankly that you are not sure of the answer.
Remember that the steward is not an impartial judge,
but there to service the member.

Don't take up phony grievances........
Workers may think they have a grievance because they
do not understand the contract. Personal disagreements
and mistakes in reading or interpreting the contract are not
legitimate grievances. Don't go to the supervisor with them. You
build up false hopes in the worker involved and the supervisor decides
that you do not know what you are doing.

If you are certain there are no grievances in the complaint,
tell the members this fact and explain why; you may have to
show the workers that they are in the wrong or that they haven't grounds
for a grievance.

However you could be wrong. What you think is phony could
be real and important. By listening carefully, by asking questions,
by giving your reasons to the worker, you protect the grievance
procedure, and you protect the worker too.

Don't try to be a hero........
Don't promise workers the moon. If it looks like a grievance,
tell them you will do the best you can. But promises like,
"we are sure to win" may build up to a let down.


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