Busy day today. Three Shop Stewarding excursions.
I took the AFSCME Shop Steward training last November, so I am still very much a Newbie. Keeping that information to myself makes me feel just a bit guilty. I tell myself that it's far better to keep me confident and thus the Union Member I'm representing calm. However, I do suffer from Pathological Honesty, so if I'm asked a direct question, I will answer honestly.
"How long have you been a Steward?"
"Almost a year."
That said, if it's just me talking to HR or someone else, and I'm trying to dig out information, I do use it to my advantage.
"I'm sorry, but I'm a new Steward. Can you help me out and fill me in on anything that helps?"
At those times, I don't feel the SLIGHTEST bit guilty. Three years from now, I expect I'll get called on it.
"YOU, are NOT, a new Steward!"
"C'mon, I'm a new-ER Steward. Are you going to help me?"
I have not yet been in the room alone with a Union Member and their Manager. There has been another Steward with me. I want to get comfortable enough, and either my Steward Mentor or Council Rep is going to throw me into it eventually. It's a bit daunting and a little scary, mostly because someone else's well being is at stake.
Meeting with Council Rep tomorrow morning about one of today's activities. It's definitely a much more serious issue. This one ROYALLY PISSED ME OFF because it involves HR, and it involves rules they DAMNED WELL should have known up, down, back, forth, and sideways. Told the Member when we spoke over the phone that I was fairly certain she was in the right, and that I would find out and get the information to her soon. Talked with another Steward over lunch as we fished through the contract. We found it. Absolutely, positively, the Member was in the right.
Friday, I meet with the HR Rep who should have known better. By then, I'll be completely lucid and calm. A Senior Steward, who can be something of a firebrand, is my Piss And Vinegar Mentor. He's told me that when I know the rules are rock solid, think of it like a pirate ship. Line the person up, guide them along their path, but let them walk the plank themselves. If HR and Management gets to thinking that when talking to Kennah they are being Rope-A-Doped, it's to my advantage and the Member's advantage.
Going back to having the wife and kids pop quiz me every night by giving me an Article Number and I give them the Article Title.
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Former E board member.
K&R!
OS
