Job Rep Committee

Job Rep Committees

WPEA has developed a forum for certified Job Representatives to work together on grievances, problems and workplace issues. The Job Representative Committee will help develop a strong team of Job Representatives, build the confidence of new Job Representatives, and sharpen the skills Job Representatives need to represent members and build stronger local unions.

The Job Representative Committee – which meets once a month – will discuss current and potential grievances, learn what’s happening at different work sites in the bargaining unit, report on potential problems, and develop problem-solving strategies and action plans.

Purpose of Job Rep Committee Meetings

1. Define the Job of the Job Representative
Pose a question such as “What is the biggest problem a Job Representative faces?” This can generate discussion of the various Job Representative roles.

2. Review Current Grievances
Job Representatives examine grievances, discuss different approaches, strategize on how to present a case, etc. In addition, Job Representatives discuss alternative problem-solving methods that:

a) may be more effective in solving the problem; and
b) involve more members–the source of the union’s strength–in addressing the problem.

3. Interpret the Contract
Spend some time at each meeting reviewing, interpreting and discussing a specific section of the contract.

4. Write Better Grievances
Provide a sample grievance situation and discuss the contract violation and write up a grievance. Discuss various approaches.

5. Prepare for Grievances Presentation
Provide a sample grievance situation and prepare your arguments. Role-play the presentation. Follow the role-play with general discussion of what went well and what could have been done differently.

6. Assure Proper Processing Actions
Provide and assure that Job Representatives are reimbursed for representational expenses. Also, assure that minutes are taken and properly distributed to the Committee and WPEA/UFCW 365 Headquarters.

7. Prepare for Contract Negotiations
Draw on your experience and discuss areas in the agreement that need changes or improvements. In addition to reviewing the contract, examine the grievance file and define particular problem areas and pass the information on to the WPEA’s Bargaining Committee. Job Representatives can also help the Bargaining Committee administer surveys on what the members would like to see in the next contract.

8. Provide Discussion on New Contract Language
As soon as a new contract has been ratified, the Committee reviews any changes and provides Job Representatives the opportunity to ask questions and discuss the new contract language.

Expectations of the Chief Job Representative:

The Chief Job Representative is:

A WPEA/UFCW Local 365 member who has been an active Job Representative for a number of years.
Experienced in handling grievances and resolving workplace problems and issues.
Thoroughly familiar with the contract, work rules, and management policies and procedures.
Aware of who the “players” are — managers and supervisors that Job Representatives will deal with.

The Chief Job Representative will:

Be a resource for other Job Representatives by lending their experience, knowledge and expertise to resolving grievances and problems.
Be an educator and mentor of new Job Representatives in interpreting contract language, passing on grievance-handling skills, and help them learn the ropes and gain confidence.
Maintain the grievance files for the bargaining unit in one central location.
Chair the monthly Job Representative Committee meetings.

Job Representative Committee Meetings Order of Business:

Reports from each Job Representative
Review correspondence
Labor-Management Committee report
Safety Committee report
Training Committee report
Old Business:
Specific grievance progress
Update ongoing workplace issues
New Business:
Review newly filed grievances
New workplace issues
Set next meeting time, place and agenda
Good of the Order

Job Representative Committee Bylaws

WPEA/UFCW 365 President certifies all Job Representatives and their jurisdiction.
Where there is more than one bargaining unit within an agency/higher education institute, there will be only one Job Representative Committee and only one Chief Job Representative.
The Chief Job Representative will act as Chair of the Job Representative Committee.
The Chief Job Representative will be elected as follows:

The Chief Job Representative shall be elected by secret ballot of the membership of the agency/higher education institute Job Representative Committee.

The term of office for the Chief Job Representative shall be for two (2) years, commencing January 1 and expiring December 31.

Nominations and elections shall be conducted at the December meeting of the Job Representative Committee.

No person shall be eligible for nomination or election unless such person is an active member in the Local Union for a continuous aggregate of at least 12 months immediately preceding the month in which nominations are held, AND is a certified Job Representative.