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Faces
Don’t Win Cases...
Have you ever
represented a member, that you
personally did not like, let alone
agree with? Have you ever tried to
negotiate with a member of
management who has not been totally
honest? The job of a Job Rep is not
always what we hoped or thought it
would be.
As a Job Rep you
are called upon to enforce our
contract, discuss grievances with
management, and represent our
members at proposed discipline
investigations or hearings. Keep in
mind that you usually will not see
folks on both sides displaying their
best behavior during these trying
times.
One of the
important components of
representation is to set aside your
personal feelings. In order to serve
our members to the best of our
ability, we must strive to rise
above our own personal feelings, and
get down to the basic principle that
facts win cases and see that due
process is followed each and every
time.
No matter what
your feelings towards the person who
needs your help at this moment, or
the specific issue at hand, you are
required to represent them in the
best manner possible. And that is
sometimes easier said than done.
Keep in mind that
behind closed doors, with the
member, other Job Reps or members of
a Grievance Committee (if you have
one) present, you have the right to
share your ideas and thoughts, both
pro and con, on how to resolve the
issue at the moment.
Only after a
course of action is planned out
should you finally leave behind your
personal feelings and open the door
in solidarity.
Remember that you
are not only representing a person,
you are representing the Collective
Bargaining Agreement and the
Grievance Procedure. It is your
responsibility to see that it is
followed through.
Faces don’t win cases, facts do! |
