From the great Union page at Denverbrown.com, a list of no-no’s for shop stewards:
NEVER refuse to represent a member, whether you think they have a case or not. If they ask you, do it!
NEVER let a management person tell you how to be a steward. You may be unsure, or flying by the seat of your pants, but remember the words spoken here- “Do something, even if it is wrong”. You will be right more often than you may think.
NEVER let management tell you that you cannot file a grievance over an issue. If they try to tell you that you cannot file a grievance assume it is the grievance of the century. If they think they can coerce you into backing off, they will do it every time.
NEVER fail to follow up your grievances with the business agent. Be sure that he has received them, (you did mail them didn’t you?), and give him a call so that he can understand the issues. It isn’t always obvious to him what you may be looking for. Some grievances take on a life of their own, and everyone involved needs to understand the goal of a filed grievance.
NEVER let a member convince you that you are doing a poor job as a steward. You had the guts to take on the job in the first place, while they sit back on their Lazy Arss and let you take the heat. It’s easy to criticize when you aren’t the guy in the line of fire. You have to deal with a number of different issues on a daily basis. They only have to figure which hand to use to wipe that Lazy Arss.
NEVER forget that you are a part of a bigger cause. You are a part of the success of the Teamsters Union. You are a part of the reason we are the highest paid people in the small package industry. You are the reason this Union can command the respect it does. You are the front line soldier that ultimately dictates the strength of this great Union. Take pride in what you do, because without you this Union would not stand.
-Bob Newhouse
Click here to check out some of the other great info on Denverbrown’s Union page.
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