Rules of the RoadGrievance Representation

Jim Walker, LATTC Instructor

Advocate Survival 101

Keep Your Enthusiasm

Take a Long View

Adopt a Learning Attitude

Your not Alone

Jim Walker, LATTC Instructor

Advocate Qualities

Willingness to do the right thing

Willingness to deal with bureaucracy

Sense of Humor

Jim Walker, LATTC Instructor

Advocacy Realities

You will not win every grievance

You will not get a lot of praise

It takes time and experience to improve advocate skills

You will represent people you and others do not like

Representation requires understanding and compassion

You will make mistakes

Jim Walker, LATTC Instructor

Advocacy Leadership

Respect Is not automatic

Honesty and having a vision is essential

Be an effective and active listener

Respect other view points even if you disagree

Exhibit appropriate behavior _ “Esprit de Corps”

Jim Walker, LATTC Instructor

Member Expectations

Listen to member concerns

Investigate their concerns and involve the member

Educate the members about contract provisions

Enforce the contract

Treat members fairly and without discrimination

Jim Walker, LATTC Instructor

Legal Rights

Equality Rule

No Reprisal Rule

Jim Walker, LATTC Instructor

Mistakes to Avoid

Represent Unfairly or Unequally

Make Backroom Deals

Promise Remedies Too Quickly

Fail to Adhere to Timelines

Let Grievances Go Unfiled

Jim Walker, LATTC Instructor

Duty of Fair Representation

Legal duty of union to represent equally and in good faith

Derived from the National Labor Relations Act

Violation occurs when union acts arbitrary, discriminatory or in bad faith

Union may not refuse or improperly represent due to: Age, race, creed, nationality, sex, religion, political beliefs,

union status or personality.

Jim Walker, LATTC Instructor

Conclusion

Next Lesson: Grievance Basics Part I

Jim Walker, LATTC Instructor