"STEWARD'S TIP OF THE WEEK"
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STEWARDS: DO YOU HAVE A TIP TO SHARE?
| March 31, 2009
"Better than Passing Notes"
You are representing a member in an investigatory meeting with management, and the worker keeps saying things she’d be better off keeping to herself. You’ve tried glaring at her, but she’s not getting the hint. Whispering or passing notes isn’t subtle enough, and you’ve even considered kicking her under the table. Is there a better way?
Yes, you can take a “time out” for a private conversation. It is a good idea to advise the member before you even begin the meeting that she can take a break to confer – or “caucus” – at any time if she is uncertain about how to answer a question from management.
A caucus is useful if you want to advise the member regarding how she is conducting herself or might be undermining her position, if you want to discuss the pros and cons of alternative approaches to dealing with your situation, or if either you or your member does not know how to answer a question.
Caucuses are also useful in labor-management meetings.
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