Dealing with Management

The relationship between the steward and management is professional, not personal. You can disagree strongly while maintaining respect.

Building Professional Relationships:

• Be firm but respectful

• Know the difference between being assertive and being aggressive

• Build credibility by knowing the contract better than management

• Follow through on commitments

• Pick your battles wisely

Common Management Tactics:

1. Intimidation: Raising voice, threats, power moves. Stay calm. Document it.

2. Delay: Hoping you'll forget or give up. Track timelines. Follow up in writing.

3. Divide and Conquer: Trying to turn members against each other or the union. Keep members informed and united.

4. Information Hoarding: Refusing to provide information. Put requests in writing. File ULP if necessary.

5. Favoritism: Treating some employees differently. Document patterns and use in grievances.

When Management Crosses the Line:

• If management retaliates against you for union activity, that's an unfair labor practice

• If management bypasses the steward to deal directly with a member, that's a contract violation

• If management threatens plant closure over union activity, that's illegal

Remember: You are EQUAL to management at the grievance table. The Supreme Court has ruled that stewards have 'equality of status' during grievance proceedings. You cannot be disciplined for vigorous representation.