The Union Steward's Complete Guide by David Prosten -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

PREFACE Acknowledgments CHAPTER 1 A UNION STEWARD’S RULES OF THE ROAD

Survival 101: Some Steward Basics What It Takes: The Qualities of A Good Steward Expectations vs. Reality: Keeping Your Goals Realistic Stewards As Leaders A Steward’s Responsibilities A Steward’s Ten Commandments A Steward’s Bill of Rights Your Legal Rights The Steward–Supervisor Relationship Mistakes To Avoid The Dangers of Playing Favorites Code Red: Signs That You’re In Trouble A Steward’s Toolkit

CHAPTER 2 GRIEVANCE BASICS: YOUR FIRST MOVES

Is It Really A Grievance? The Unwritten Winner Saying “No” To A Grievant Grievance Interviewing Skills Taking Good Notes Writing Up A Grievance Flexibility Improves Your Odds Is There A Precedent? Ten All-Purpose Strategies For Grievance Negotiation The Recognition Clause: A Secret Weapon Asking Questions, Working It Out The Hazards of Doing Nothing

CHAPTER 3 PRESENTING THE GRIEVANCE

It’s Showtime Management Tactics In Grievance Sessions Negotiating In The Grievance Process Unwelcome Surprises Don’t Settle For Management’s “No!” Arbitration: The End of The Line Grievances That Win At Arbitration Turning A Losing Grievance Into A Winner Looking At The Big Picture

CHAPTER 4 HANDLING COMMON GRIEVANCES AND DISCIPLINES

Past Practices Rule Violations Was There Just Cause? Job Classification Promotions Job Transfer Disputes Work Performance Work Scheduling Issues Absenteeism and Tardiness Disciplines Mandatory Overtime Break Abuses “Stealing Time” Sleeping On The Job Insubordination Safety Violations Theft Damaging Employer Property Personal Appearance Discourtesy Horseplay Gambling On The Job Off-Duty Conduct Short–Term Suspensions Due Process and Terminations “Last Chance” Agreements

CHAPTER 5 HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES

Health and Safety Basics Worker Protections Under Law When To Call Osha Toxic Substances: Your Right To Know Lead and Asbestos Exposure Preventing and Dealing With Ergonomic Injuries Watch Your Back! Breathing Easier The Heat Is On Radiation Alert Workplace Stress Staying Alert To Shift Work’s Dangers Confronting Dangerous Assignments Workplace Violence Domestic Violence and The Workplace Drug and Alcohol Issues Workers With Disabilities Family and Medical Leave Act Dealing With HIV/AIDS Sick Leave Issues Counseling On Medical Claims Workers’ Compensation Helping Injured Workers Make A Healthy Return

CHAPTER 6 THE WORKPLACE AND THE LAW

The Law As A Steward’s Tool The Right To Representation Steward-Member Confidentiality The Right To Pursue Grievances The Right To Information Workplace Freedom of Speech Wearing Your Views Lie Detectors In The Workplace

CHAPTER 7 THE CHANGING WORKPLACE

Building Unity In A Diverse Workforce Immigrants, Solidarity and Strength Responding To Sexual Harassment Issues “GLBTQ”: It Stands For “A Union Issue” The Steward and The “High Performance Work Organization” Stewards and Electronic Communications Protecting Workers When Jobs Change Professionals and Unionism Stewards Guard The Home Front Stewards and Politics

CHAPTER 8 INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION: THE KEYS TO SUCCESS

Getting Your Point Across Conducting Workplace Meetings Cutting Down On Those Interruptions Figures Don’t Lie, But Liars Figure Using Computers To Good Advantage Writing For The Newsletter

CHAPTER 9 HEADACHES AND HEARTACHES

The Steward As Psychologist Challenges To Your Authority Controlling The Loose Cannon Dealing With Constant Critics Representing The Anti-Union Worker Handling Dues Complaints and Free Riders Working With Timid Grievants Handling Worker-On-Worker Bigotry and Hate The Problem Boss When The Boss Is In The Bargaining Unit Responding To Workplace Smoking Conflicts Advising Workers In Trouble With The Boss Stopping Workplace Bullying Settling Conflicts Between Members Fighting “Contracting Out”

CHAPTER 10 SANITY-SAVING TIPS

Managing Your Time Taming The Telephone Monster Help With Grievance Recordkeeping Dealing With Stewards’ Stress Take Inspiration From Mother Jones Movies That Motivate

CHAPTER 11 BUILDING UNITY AND STRENGTH

The “Death” of Unions Helping Newer Stewards Mobilizing Your Co-Workers Recruiting and Keeping Volunteers Creating Unionists, Not Just Members The “Right-To-Work” Challenge Using Pressure To Settle Grievances Organizing Around Workload Issues Looking For Leverage Helping Win Better Contracts Rallying The Troops With Laughter and Song Unionism As A Movement