Union Grievance Process Obligations

Summary

Unions are required to inform employees about grievance processes under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). If a union fails to do so, it may be considered an unfair labor practice, potentially breaching their duty of fair representation. In California, unions must independently inform members about grievance procedures. If a union knowingly allows contract breaches or fails to act in members best interests, it could be a breach of duty. Retaliation for criticism or discrimination in union practices can also be unfair labor practices. Documenting incidents and consulting with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) or a labor attorney is advisable for addressing these issues.

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My union never informed me about grievance processes in a contract and I missed my window to file a grievance. Is this an unfair labor practice
In California, the duty of fair representation under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) requires unions to inform members about grievance procedures. Failing to do so could potentially be considered an unfair labor practice.
- Unions must inform about grievance processes under the NLRA.
- Failure to do so may breach their duty of fair representation.
Have you tried contacting the union about this issue?
Not yet. I am afraid of retaliation for pointing out they have not done so
It's understandable to be concerned about retaliation. Here are some steps to consider:
- Document all communications and attempts to inquire about the grievance process.
- Consider reaching out to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to discuss your concerns confidentially.
- You may also want to consult with a labor attorney for personalized advice.
Would you like assistance in finding a labor attorney in your area?
My union never informed permit workers about their grievance rights and procedures and refuses to allowed them access to contracts they work under. Is this an unfair labor practice
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It seems like you may have a strong case for an unfair labor practice under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). Here are steps you can take:
- Document all instances and communications regarding your attempts to access grievance procedures.
- Contact the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for further guidance and assistance.
Would you like to connect with local lawyers who can better assist you with your case?
do I have to inquire about grievance procedure or is my union supposed to inform me independently
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Your union is required to inform you independently about the grievance procedure under the NLRA. Failing to do so may constitute an unfair labor practice.
Would you like to know more about the steps for filing a complaint with the NLRB or any other specific information?
Can my union file a grievance on my behalf in ca
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Yes, your union can file a grievance on your behalf in California. However, if they fail to inform you about the grievance process, it may be seen as a breach of their duty of fair representation.
Would you like to know more about the steps for filing a complaint with the NLRB or any other specific information?
is it a breach of duty of fair representation if my union knowingly allows employers to breach contracts
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Yes, if your union knowingly allows employers to breach contracts and fails to act on it, it could be considered a breach of their duty of fair representation under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).
Would you like to be connected to local lawyers who can better assist you with your case?
What action can my union take if an employer breaches a contract
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If an employer breaches a contract, your union can take the following actions:
- File a grievance against the employer on your behalf.
- Engage in collective bargaining to resolve the issue.
- Possibly consider legal action if the breach is severe.
Have you recently experienced a contract breach by your employer?
yes my employer failed to pay me wages and also billed me incorrectly on my paystub
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It sounds like you might have a strong case regarding wage and paystub issues. Here are some steps you can consider:
- Document all wage discrepancies and incorrect paystubs.
- Contact your union to file a grievance.
- Consider reaching out to the California Labor Commissioner's Office.
Have you discussed this issue with your union?
yes. They claim to have contacted payroll but I never heard back from anyone
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It seems you might have a strong case, especially if the union has failed to act in your best interest. Here are some steps you can take:
- Document all communications with your union and payroll.
- Contact the California Labor Commissioner's Office for assistance.
- Consider consulting with a labor attorney.
Would you like to be connected to local lawyers who can better assist you with your case?
what does it mean that my union has failed to act on my best interest
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Your union failing to act in your best interest means they have not adequately represented you, potentially breaching their duty of fair representation. This includes not informing you about grievance processes or not addressing contract breaches by your employer, which can be seen as an unfair labor practice.
Would you like to be connected to local lawyers who can better assist you with your case?
Is a union violating their constitution an unfair labor practice
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A union violating their constitution can potentially be considered an unfair labor practice if it affects their duty of fair representation to their members. Here are a few steps you can take:
- Document the specific violations.
- Consult the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for guidance.
Have you considered reaching out to the NLRB or a labor attorney for assistance?
per the constitution and bylaws of my union they are required to have me read, understand, and sign before a witness that I understand the rules BEFORE I became a union member. They did not do this and are now trying to discipline me for breach of these laws is this an unfair labor practice
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It seems like you have a valid concern. Here are some key points:
- Unions must inform members about their rights and grievance processes.
- Failing to follow their own constitution and bylaws might constitute an unfair labor practice.
Have you considered filing a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)?
how is not following their constitution and bylaws an unfair labor practice
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When a union fails to follow its constitution and bylaws, it can be considered an unfair labor practice because:
- It may breach the duty of fair representation.
- It can negatively impact members' rights and their ability to understand grievance processes.
Would you like to know more about how to file a complaint with the NLRB or any other specific information?
Can a felon become a union officer
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In California, a felon can become a union officer unless the union's bylaws or constitution specifically prohibit it. However, certain unions may have their own internal rules and regulations.
Would you like more information on specific union rules or any other questions related to this topic?
can a felon become a iatse union officer
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In California, a felon can become an officer in the IATSE union unless their specific bylaws prohibit it. Each union has different rules, so it's essential to review the IATSE's constitution and bylaws.
Would you like more information on how to find these documents or any other related questions?
what are examples of unfair labor practices by unions
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Here are some examples of unfair labor practices by unions:
- Failure to inform members about grievance procedures.
- Refusal to allow access to contracts.
- Knowingly allowing employers to breach contracts.
- Violating union constitution and bylaws.
- Retaliation against members for asserting their rights.
Is there a specific instance or concern you have regarding your union's actions?
What are more examples not covered in this conversation so far
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Here are some additional examples of unfair labor practices by unions:
- Discriminating against members based on race, sex, religion, or other protected characteristics.
- Misappropriating union funds.
- Failing to provide required financial reports to members.
- Refusing to process a grievance for arbitrary or discriminatory reasons.
- Coercing members to participate in illegal strikes.
Is there a specific issue you need more information on?
what are more reasons
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Some additional reasons that could be considered unfair labor practices by unions include:
- Interfering with members' rights to organize or join other unions.
- Retaliating against members for reporting misconduct.
- Not representing all members fairly and without discrimination.
- Engaging in corrupt or fraudulent activities.
- Denying members the right to vote in union elections.
Is there a specific issue or concern you would like more information on?
what does provisional member mean
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A "provisional member" typically refers to a temporary or probationary status within an organization, such as a union. It means that the individual has limited membership rights and may need to meet certain criteria before becoming a full member.
Is there a specific context or issue related to your provisional membership status that you need help with?
can provisional members vote
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In many unions, provisional members may not have the same voting rights as full members. The specific rights of provisional members can vary based on the union's constitution and bylaws.
Would you like to know more about the specific rules of your union regarding provisional members' voting rights?
yed
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To better understand your situation, could you please provide more details about the specific issue or context related to your provisional membership status?
My union president cancelled the monthly meeting but the executive board still met and voted on something that didn’t reflect the whole unions values. Why can they do this
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In general, union executive boards have the authority to make decisions on behalf of the union, even if a general meeting is canceled. However, the union's constitution and bylaws should outline the specific procedures for such actions.
Would you like to know more about your union's specific rules and procedures?
define fraudulent or corrupt union activities
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Fraudulent or corrupt union activities can include:
- Embezzling union funds.
- Accepting bribes or kickbacks.
- Engaging in nepotism or favoritism.
- Manipulating union elections.
- Falsifying records or documents.
Is there a specific concern or incident you are dealing with regarding your union?
‘is nepotism an unlawful labor practice
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Nepotism itself is not necessarily an unlawful labor practice. However, if nepotism results in discrimination or unfair treatment of union members, it could potentially be considered an unfair labor practice.
- Nepotism can lead to favoritism, which may violate the duty of fair representation.
- Discriminatory nepotism based on protected characteristics (race, sex, etc.) could be unlawful.
Is there a specific instance of nepotism in your union that you're concerned about?
‘most of the members in my union are related to each other. Most people receiving fines and penalties are members not related to anyone. Is this an unlawfully labor violation
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It sounds like you might be experiencing potential discrimination and unfair labor practices in your union.
Here are some steps you can consider:
- Document instances of penalties and fines issued.
- Contact the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for guidance.
- Consult with a labor attorney for personalized advice.
Is there anything specific you would like to know about the process or any other related questions?
I was penalized for speaking out of turn but my business agents son was not but he did the exact same thing. Is this discrimination
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It sounds like you might be experiencing potential discrimination and unfair treatment within your union.
- Document all instances of penalties and fines, especially where there is unequal treatment.
- Consider reaching out to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for guidance.
- Consult with a labor attorney for personalized advice.
Would you like more information on how to proceed with your complaint or any other specific questions?
‘what are more examples of unfair labor practices
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Hi! Here are some more examples of unfair labor practices by unions:
- Misuse of union funds.
- Not allowing members to participate in union governance.
- Interfering with internal union elections.
- Not providing necessary information about union activities.
- Coercing members to participate in illegal activities or strikes.
Is there a specific concern you have regarding your union's actions?
My union funds certain committees but not others is this discrimination
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Funding certain committees but not others may not necessarily be discrimination unless it can be shown that the basis for funding decisions is discriminatory (e.g., based on race, gender, etc.).
- Document the funding disparities and any potential discriminatory motives.
- Consult with a labor attorney for personalized advice.
Is there anything specific you would like to know or any other related questions?
‘my union wants to punish me for criticizing the union is this lawful
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It sounds like your union may be engaging in retaliation, which can be considered an unfair labor practice. Here are some key points:
- Retaliation for criticizing the union can violate your rights under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).
- Document all instances of criticism and any subsequent attempts to punish you.
- Consider contacting the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for guidance.
Have you spoken to anyone outside the union about this issue?
a non member on a job site criticized the union and they have not given him work since. Is this lawful
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In California, it could be considered unlawful for a union to retaliate against a non-member for criticizing the union. Here are some points to consider:
- Retaliation can violate the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).
- Document all instances of the criticism and the lack of work provided.
Has the non-member tried to contact the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) about this issue?
Is a steward a boss
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A steward is not typically considered a boss but acts as a representative of the union on the worksite. They help enforce the contract, address grievances, and support union members.
Would you like to know more about the specific roles and responsibilities of union stewards?
My steward tried to force me to continue working and didn’t give me the option to take the first labor cut. Can he do this
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In California, union stewards are expected to represent the interests of the union members fairly. If your steward forced you to continue working without giving you the option to take the first labor cut, it might be a breach of their duty. Here are some points to consider:
- Document the incident and any communications with the steward.
- Review your union contract for specific terms regarding labor cuts.
Have you discussed this issue with your union or considered filing a grievance?
‘what are breaches of steward duties
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Breaches of steward duties can include:
- Failing to fairly represent all union members.
- Not enforcing the contract terms.
- Ignoring or mishandling grievances.
- Showing favoritism or discrimination.
- Retaliating against members for raising concerns.
Do you have a specific incident involving your steward's actions that you'd like to discuss further?
twice my steward did not allow me to leave and forced me to continue working on a call is this unfair
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It sounds like your steward's actions may indeed be unfair, especially if it violates your union contract or labor laws. Here are steps to consider:
- Review your union contract to understand your rights regarding work assignments and labor cuts.
- Document the incidents with your steward.
- Consider filing a grievance with your union.
Would you like more information on how to file a grievance or any other specific questions?
my steward threatened to bring me before the eboard for wanting to leave a call is this lawful
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Your steward's threat to bring you before the executive board for wanting to leave a call could be considered a breach of their duty to fairly represent you. Here are some steps to consider:
- Document the threat and any related communications.
- Review your union contract for provisions regarding work assignments and leaving calls.
Have you thought about filing a grievance regarding this issue or contacting the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for guidance?
i informed a union rep and they did nothing. I have been summoned by the eboard
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It sounds like your situation involves potential unfair labor practices and a breach of the duty of fair representation by your union. Here are some steps to consider:
- Document all communications and incidents with your union rep and steward.
- Prepare for your eboard meeting by gathering any relevant evidence.
- Consider consulting with a labor attorney for personalized advice.
Would you like more information on how to prepare for your eboard meeting or any other specific questions?
define union duty of fair representation
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The union's duty of fair representation requires unions to act fairly, impartially, and in good faith when representing their members. This duty includes:
- Informing members about grievance procedures.
- Addressing member grievances effectively.
- Not engaging in discriminatory or arbitrary actions.
Would you like more information on how to file a complaint with the NLRB or any other specific questions?
‘what is an arbitrary action
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An arbitrary action by a union refers to actions that are done without reasonable justification or are based on whims rather than facts or law. This can include inconsistent enforcement of rules, making decisions without proper investigation, or showing favoritism.
Would you like more information on how to address an arbitrary action by your union?