"STEWARD'S TIP OF THE WEEK"
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STEWARDS: DO YOU HAVE A TIP TO SHARE?
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May 19, 2009
"Even if you don’t like them…"
It happens: One of your members needs representation, and you really do not want to do it, even though you are their steward. Maybe the member is anti-union, maybe they undercut everything you try to do, or maybe you just do not like him/her. Do you really have to represent them anyway?
YES!!
Unions have a legal and moral obligation to represent all members of the bargaining unit fairly and objectively at all times. This obligation is called “Duty of Fair Representation” (DFR).
Your member has rights on the job based on your contract. As a steward, it is your job to protect those rights as best you can. In doing so, you are not only representing the member, you are protecting your contract for everyone!
Failure to win a grievance is not a violation of the DFR. Making a mistake in good faith is not a violation of the DFR. But acting in an arbitrary or discriminatory fashion or in bad faith is a violation of the DFR.
Does a steward have to file any and all grievances that a member wants to be filed?
Come back next week!
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