I may be forced out of my job.

[Chad Michael]

I work for the world's #1 supplier of aerospace, transportation and industrial aluminum products. 5 years with the company, like what I do, like the people I work with, spotless employee file, and I'm good at what I do. I have NEVER caused this company any grief of any kind.

My shift schedule was Mon - Thurs from 7 am to 7 pm. As a full time single parent with a 7 y.o. boy, I was able to make this work with a bit of help from family.

We've had 4 plant managers in 5 years, and the latest one has implemented a rotating work schedule, without collective bargaining (which is a violation of our union contract). The rotating work schedule is nights, weekends, weekdays, weeknights, repeat etc.)

This schedule is essentially impossible for a single parent, given the hours of school and child care services. I had the discussion with my manager and the HR manager. I simply cannot be there at any given day or night as they require. It is only a matter of time before I miss enough work to be fired for attendance.

It wouldn't really bother me if they were just @%$&ing up my life, but they are @%&*ing up my son's life and for that reason, I'm pissed.




It is a shame that an american company can act like this.

[Unrepresented]

What did your business agent suggest?

[jokn388]

Get the union involved. If it is against the contract they agreed to, they will step in immediately. Unions usually don't mess around with anything that undermines their power

[Chad Michael]

Originally Posted by Unrepresented

What did your business agent suggest?

Business agent... are you referring to the plant mgr or the hr mgr, or... ?

[Chad Michael]

Originally Posted by jokn388

Get the union involved. If it is against the contract they agreed to, they will step in immediately. Unions usually don't mess around with anything that undermines their power

The union stepped in immediately and filed a grievance, which will lead to arbitration which may or may not resolve the issue, the outcome would be determined about a year from now.

[Unrepresented]

Originally Posted by Chad Michael

Business agent... are you referring to the plant mgr or the hr mgr, or... ?

They may have a different title in your particular situation, but that's the job title of our union representative.

If your contract is being violated by management at the expense of your family, you need to speak with the union immediately.

[hbarcat]

First of all, this policy of rotating schedules is just plain stupid if the idea is to run a large manufacturing company that puts out high quality products. On the other hand, if the idea is to anger the workers (and it may very well be the objective) then it's a brilliant policy.

Having said that, if this is a violation of your legally binding contract, then you should strongly protest it and definitely get the union involved. If it isn't, then the company is free to make stupid decisions, like implementing this policy and running their business into the ground, and you are free to go along with it or quit.



If I were in your situation, I would put my family's welfare ahead of the principle of sticking up for my job entitlements and actively start looking for a new job. Taking a pay cut and then making sacrifices in my domestic life to make up for it might be better for my family than to live under such harsh scheduling conditions. Not saying you should do this, just something to consider.

[Hawaii Islander]

The union may very well seek a court injuction to stop the policy until arbitration is reached. The arbitration may take a year (or longer), but the policy would not be allowed during that time. My sister-in-law was an HGEA union rep. Both my brothers are HGEA union officers and have gone through similar type situations. Their union got an injuction against State mandated furloughs because it violated their contract.

Keep us posted on your situation.

[Chad Michael]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Injunction: A union member had recommended this for our situation, basically the union shop steward has shrugged his shoulders and said "we can't do that"

Find another job?

Anyone local has told me "DO NOT QUIT YOUR JOB" including the unemployment office, because the job market is non-existent here. Especially any job that provides an above average income.

People who are not local have all advised me to find another job. I've been looking and the best job for (my son's well being and) me is the one I have now.

[Rattman]

Originally Posted by jokn388

Get the union involved. If it is against the contract they agreed to, they will step in immediately. Unions usually don't mess around with anything that undermines their power

This should have been documented and FILED by this time... but better late than never in this case...

[Hawaii Islander]

Originally Posted by Chad Michael

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Injunction: A union member had recommended this for our situation, basically the union shop steward has shrugged his shoulders and said "we can't do that"

Find another job?

Anyone local has told me "DO NOT QUIT YOUR JOB" including the unemployment office, because the job market is non-existent here. Especially any job that provides an above average income.

People who are not local have all advised me to find another job. I've been looking and the best job for (my son's well being and) me is the one I have now.

The unemployment office is correct. If you "quit", then you make yourself ineligible to collect your unemployment insurance benefits. You need to be laid off or wrongfully terminated to collect.

Are their any hardship provisions that your union can use to help with your situation?

[WookieeForLife]

Prostitution................


Just trying to make light of the situation. Sorry about your predicament. I wish for the best.

[Chebass88]

Here's a question fer ya. How much are you paying in union dues? If it is anything more than $1/year, you are paying them WAY TOO MUCH for them to do nothing about your situation for a YEAR. Perhaps you can take a more active role in the union leadership & pursue things aggressively?

Basically, they are taking your money and not providing a service to you. But, are you surprised?

ian

[fdeck]

Originally Posted by Hawaii Islander

The unemployment office is correct. If you "quit", then you make yourself ineligible to collect your unemployment insurance benefits. You need to be laid off or wrongfully terminated to collect.

Are their any hardship provisions that your union can use to help with your situation?

Can the OP claim that changing his hours in violation of the contract amounts to a wrongful termination?

[LiquidMidnight]

Originally Posted by Chad Michael

Injunction: A union member had recommended this for our situation, basically the union shop steward has shrugged his shoulders and said "we can't do that"

Why did your steward say that? I agree with the poster who said that your union is rolling over on this matter. If the contract is in violation and there isn't some crazy loophole for management's rights, any arbitrator with half a brain should rule in your favor. Perhaps it's time for a couple hundred grievances to be filed.

[Unrepresented]

Originally Posted by Chad Michael

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Injunction: A union member had recommended this for our situation, basically the union shop steward has shrugged his shoulders and said "we can't do that"

Your business agent is a paid employee of the union who will do all major representation. Your shop steward is the first person to consult but not the last. They may know basics, but they will not necessarily know nuance (or on occasion the correct answer). Go over his head. Call the union hall.

[Steveaux]

Originally Posted by Unrepresented

Your business agent is a paid employee of the union who will do all major representation. Your shop steward is the first person to consult but not the last. They may know basics, but they will not necessarily know nuance (or on occasion the correct answer). Go over his head. Call the union hall.

A Steward's job is to police the contract at "floor level" on a real-time basis ... think "first responder".

This matter should already be in front of your Shop Committee and Business Rep. .

Skip the Steward and focus on the Committee/Bus. Rep. .

This is all assuming your contract covers shift schedules/hours of work. If off-shift employees receive shift-premiums, you probably have a case.

[Hawaii Islander]

Originally Posted by fdeck

Can the OP claim that changing his hours in violation of the contract amounts to a wrongful termination?

If they terminate because of problems caused by changes in shifts, then the labor board should approve unemployment benefits.

Also, the OP should contact his Union Agent not the same as shop steward and file a grievance through him/her. At least find out what the process entails and how it applies to your specific case. Shop stewards don't always know this information.

[Chad Michael]

Originally Posted by Chebass88

...Basically, they are taking your money and not providing a service to you. But, are you surprised?

ian

As I take a step back and ask "what has our union done for the membership?" Well, it seems that our union does provide a service for individuals who screw up.

If you get fired for:
1) failing a drug / alcohol test
2) exceeding max attendance penalty points
3) major safety violation
4) overhearing a conversation that leads to damage to equipment or harm to someone

... our union will get you back to work.

But, as a group, as a union, if mgmt forces something irrational / against the contract, the union's (shop steward and union president's) reply is "this may take awhile to grieve and arbitrate"

My union protects individual screw ups and does little to protect the whole, meaning rest of the good people who just do good work and stay out of trouble.

[bobba66]

Lot's of jobs out there for you hard working union guys. Tell those big meanies your outa there.