Learn from Others Mistakes!

Here are 5 mistakes Union Stewards make that can and should be avoided.

  1. Backroom Deals with Management

    Management should never offer to trade one grievance settlement for another. Never agree to anything you would be uncomfortable telling your entire membership about. Group settlements of grievances should be done by the entire union committee, not by the individual steward. Every member deserves a fair shake and every grievance needs to be evaluated on its own merit.

  2. Making Promises Without Knowing the Facts

    Only after you have spoken to the grievant and witnesses, consulted the contract, understand employer’s rules and researched past practices are you in a position to make your determination. No steward should make promises about the expected outcome of a grievance before knowing all the facts. You’re hurting both the member and your credibility if you pass judgment on a grievance prior to a full investigation.

  3. Missing Timelines Specified in the Contract

    The strongest cases can be lost if the timeline specified in your contract isn’t followed. Don’t let problems fester and grow. If you do get a formal extension of time limits, be sure to get it in writing.  If you can’t get it in writing make sure there are other union witnesses present.

  4. Not Filing a Grievance

    Every grievance that goes un-filed undermines the contract people struggled 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. Remember, the union has the right to file a grievance even if the worker involved doesn’t want to. When a basic principle is involved that could affect other workers, the steward should file the grievance.

  5. Shirking Responsibility

    It’s the steward's responsibility to deal with the members at their location by keeping them informed, investigating  problems, deciding whether to grieve matters and do the first-step portion of the grievance. Get advice and support if you are unsure about how to proceed however, having a strong union means everyone does their part. Resist the urge to pass members off on other stewards or union reps when you can personally help them.

Source: https://www.ueunion.org/stwd_mistakes.html