Take constructive action in dispute with union over unilateral grievance
(this article was first published in the LifeStyles section of the February 9, 2009 edition of the Lowell Sun. If you're interested in viewing other articles, click here.)

Stress Unit
By MICHAEL HAYDEN, Sun Correspondent
Lowell Sun

DEAR MIKE: I am having a problem with the labor union at my place of work. I have worked there and been a member of this union for over 20 years and I was reared in a home where both my mother and father were members and involved in unions. It's something I am used to and until now have never harbored any ill feelings for.

I know that the union is there for our good and in the past has been instrumental in getting us raises and helped people who have been mistreated. However, the group in charge now seems to have gone too far. They seem to think their only job is to take control of the workplace away from management.

They recently filed a series of grievances against the management so called "on the behalf of the membership in general." These grievances say that members have complained to them about their supervisors and that they want something done about it.

When I first found out about this I was completely appalled. My supervisor is a great person and someone you can approach if you do have a problem. Checking with some of my fellow employees, I found that none of us in our group ever talks to the union about this nor do we have a problem with the supervisor.

A further check found that most of the workplace is in the same boat and that only a small group had a problem with a particular supervisor. The union, however, decided to file on behalf of all of us against all supervisors. Some of us approached the union leadership and were told that the decision was up to the executive board and the membership had no say in it. So basically they are telling us they can do anything they please and we have no say.

I am extremely upset with this. Especially with the hard times upon us now, I believe we all should be working together to help make things work. Do you have any suggestions on what I might do? -- Jack

DEAR JACK: There certainly are things that you can do but they won't be easy and will require you to get your fellow union members to join the cause. First, check your union by-laws for the procedure to request a special meeting. I believe in most cases it only requires a handful of signatures.

Then encourage as many union members as possible to attend the meeting and voice your opposition to what the union is doing. Demand that they cease and desist their actions on your behalf and keep it to the specific group involved. Tell them that if that group has a problem with a supervisor, its members should sign their own grievance.

You can also get members of your group and other groups who feel the same to write letters to the people in charge of the workplace, letting them know you do not have a problem with your particular supervisors.

Remember, you also have the option of recalling the union officials in a recall election if they continue to act on their own behalf or that of a selected minority.

You do have plenty of options, so turn that anger into a positive source and fight back. Good luck. -- Mike

Michael Hayden is a certified anger management counselor who runs Bay State Anger Management and Counseling in Chelmsford. Send questions to him at Stressunit@aol.com or send mail to: Stress Unit, c/o The Editor, Box 1477, Lowell, MA 01853.